BattlefieldsLoudoun Hill — Bruce Schiltron Formation 1307
Medieval

Loudoun Hill — Bruce Schiltron Formation 1307

1307
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Aymer de Valence
Forces
Aymer de Valence commanding English cavalry
VS
Victor
Robert Bruce
Forces
Robert Bruce commanding Scottish schiltrons
Outcome
Scottish victory; English cavalry repulsed; Bruce's military credibility as a field commander established; Valence withdrew without pressing his attacks
The Battle

History & Significance

At Loudoun Hill on 10 May 1307 Bruce dug ditches to channel the English cavalry of Aymer de Valence onto a narrow front, then held the position with schiltrons of spearmen. Valence's cavalry could not outflank the position and was repulsed when it attacked frontally. Loudoun Hill was the first time Bruce demonstrated he could defeat an English cavalry force in open battle using engineered terrain and disciplined infantry — a preview of the methods that would triumph at Bannockburn seven years later.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Loudoun Hill — Bruce Schiltron Formation 1307

Glen Garr,cairn
Scheduled monument · ~4.1 miles
Dungavel Hill,cairn
Scheduled monument · ~5 miles
Blacksidend,cairn
Scheduled monument · ~5.1 miles
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