BattlefieldsBannockburn — Clifford and Randolph Cavalry Repulse 1314
Medieval

Bannockburn — Clifford and Randolph Cavalry Repulse 1314

1314
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England
Forces
Robert de Clifford commanding English cavalry column
VS
Victor
Scotland
Forces
Thomas Randolph commanding Scottish schiltron
Outcome
English cavalry repulsed by Scottish schiltron in the open; Clifford withdrew without reaching Stirling; Scottish morale boosted before the main battle
The Battle

History & Significance

On the evening of 23 June 1314, the day before the main battle, Robert de Clifford led an English cavalry column attempting to bypass the Scottish position and relieve Stirling Castle. Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, intercepted with a Scottish schiltron in the open plain and held off repeated cavalry charges without the protection of woodland. The successful repulse of mounted cavalry by infantry in the open at New Park demonstrated the maturity of Scottish spear-tactics and was a critical moral and tactical prelude to the main battle the following day.

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