BattlefieldsBattle of Methven
Medieval

Battle of Methven

1306
Perthshire, Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Perthshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scotland (Robert the Bruce)
Forces
Bruce c. 3,000–4,000 foot; English surprise cavalry charge routed Scottish camp.
VS
Victor
England (Pembroke)
Forces
Pembroke c. 2,000 cavalry
Outcome
English victory; Bruce driven into hiding
The Battle

History & Significance

Robert the Bruce had just been crowned King of Scots when Pembroke's cavalry surprised his camp and routed his army. Bruce became a fugitive, hiding in caves and islands. The spider legend originates here — watching a spider try and try again supposedly inspired Bruce's own perseverance. He returned the following year to begin his reconquest.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Perthshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Perthshire