On this day in Scottish history (Sep 11) On this day in 1297, William Wallace led his troops to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Wallace defeated Edward I in this great military victory, which established him as the legitimate leader of Scottish resistance. John Balliol had surrendered to the English, and Edward regarded Scotland as his domain, making a triumphant tour to Scotland and removing the Stone of Destiny from Scone. Edward imposed John de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey, as Governor, sparking a revolt that was led by Wallace in the south-west, and Andrew Murray in the north-east. Wallace and Murray raised a band of enthusiastic volunteers, although the English troops rallied by Surrey and Cressingham from Berwick were, in contrast, well-equipped, imposing, and confident in their superiority. The Scottish troops congregated on Abbey Craig (now the site of the Wallace Monument) when the English arrived on the south bank. The impatient Cressingham led the English troops over the narrow wooden Stirling Bridge, and the Scots attacked, leaving the bridge choked with bodies. Cressingham was one of the first casualties in the massacre, and Surrey retreated south as far as the Tweed. Wallace returned to recapture Berwick and raid Northumberland and Cumberland.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 05:40:31 +0000
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