BattlefieldsBattle of Bannockburn — Day One (de Bohun)
Medieval

Battle of Bannockburn — Day One (de Bohun)

1314
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Also known as: First day Bannockburn · Bruce kills de Bohun
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (advance guard / de Bohun)
Forces
c.7,000-9,000 Scots (Robert Bruce)
VS
Victor
Scotland (Robert the Bruce)
Forces
c.25,000-40,000 English (Edward II)
Outcome
Advance English cavalry repulsed; de Bohun killed by Bruce personally; English column turned back
The Battle

History & Significance

The first day of Bannockburn saw two preliminary actions before the main battle. An English cavalry column tried to relieve Stirling and was repulsed at St Ninian's Church. Henry de Bohun charged at Bruce individually — and Bruce, on a small palfrey, stood his ground and split de Bohun's skull with his battleaxe. His commanders rebuked him for risking himself. "I only broke my good axe," Bruce replied.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Stirlingshire

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 Stirlingshire