BattlefieldsSiege of Linlithgow Peel 1313
Medieval

Siege of Linlithgow Peel 1313

1313
Linlithgowshire, Scotland
Also known as: William Bunnock takes Linlithgow · Bunnock's wagon trick 1313
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Linlithgowshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English garrison
Forces
English garrison c.50–100.
VS
Victor
Scotland (William Bunnock)
Forces
Scottish force c.300–500
Outcome
English peel (fortified enclosure) at Linlithgow captured by stratagem
The Battle

History & Significance

A local farmer named William Bunnock, who supplied hay to the English garrison at Linlithgow, hid armed men in a hay wagon. When the wagon was in the gateway he cut the traces, preventing the gate from closing. Hidden men leapt out and overpowered the guards; Scots hiding nearby rushed in. The peel was taken without a major assault. The technique — hiding men in supply wagons — became one of the celebrated folk memories of the Wars of Independence, recorded by Barbour in 'The Bruce.'

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