BattlefieldsBannockburn — Day One skirmishes 1314
Medieval

Bannockburn — Day One skirmishes 1314

1314
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Also known as: Bannockburn 23 June 1314 · Bruce kills de Bohun 1314 · Clifford repulsed 1314
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Clifford / de Bohun)
Forces
English cavalry of de Bohun and Clifford
VS
Victor
Scotland (Robert the Bruce)
Forces
Bruce with Scottish vanguard
Outcome
On the first day of Bannockburn, two preliminary actions occurred: Bruce personally killed Henry de Bohun in single combat, and Randolph repulsed Cliffords cavalry attempting to relieve Stirling via a different route
The Battle

History & Significance

The events of 23 June 1314 set the psychological tone for the main battle the following day. Henry de Bohun charged at Bruce individually — and Bruce, mounted on a small palfrey, side-stepped at the last moment and split de Bohuns skull with his battleaxe, breaking the axe head. His commanders rebuked him for risking himself. I only broke my good axe, Bruce replied. Simultaneously Cliffords cavalry column tried to slip round to relieve Stirling and was stopped by Randolphs schiltrons in open ground. Both actions demonstrated Scottish fighting quality and shocked the English army.

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