William

Wallaces Army

Divisional: Organisation was on a provincial basis, the men of a particular region would turn
out under their local lords as the army of the province or earldom.
Functional: Organisation was also split into units of the army (i.e. archery, infantry and
cavalry)

Advantages
Easy to fit in new recruits.
The fact there is little structure, it is hard to predict next move.
Infantry happy to fight

Disadvantages
Leader has ultimate power
If leader is killed/captured, structure crumbles.
No promotion possible


Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)

William Wallace Sir Andrew Murray (KIA)
Co-Leader Co-Leader



Scottish
Lords &

Earls

Lord A Lord B Earl A Earl B

Men of Men of Men of Men of Light Cavalry

Lord A Lord B Earl A Earl B (approx. 180)


Infantry of Commoners (approx. 6000)



In the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the Wallaces army famously defeated the English. Stirling
Bridge was the first battle in Europe to see a common army of spearmen defeat a force of
heavily armoured and mounted knights.

However, this success was to do little with the actual structure of the army and more to do
with the advanced knowledge of the surrounding area and the guerrilla tactics deployed.





Battle of Falkirk (1298)


William Wallace

Guardian of Scotland




Lord A Lord B Earl A Earl B James Stewart John Stewart (KIA)
High Steward Head of Archery
Men of Men of Men of Men of
Lord A Lord B Earl A Earl B
Light Cavalry Longbowmen
4 Shiltrons of Commoners (approx. 8000) (approx. 500) (approx. 1500)


The following year, Wallaces army did not have the same success at the Battle of Falkirk.
The Scottish cavalry fled when the heavy armoured English cavalry began their charge. The
English cavalry then attacked the inexperienced Scottish longbowmen, decimating them and
leaving the schiltrons (hedgehog pike formation) exposed. The English army's archers then
had free reign to pour death onto the Scots. The schiltrons couldn't sustain their strength in
the face of such an onslaught. They weakened and when the English cavalry moved in, it
was for the kill, and a terrible defeat for Wallace, his army, and the country. Wallace and
some on the lucky surviors then fled into the forest behind them





Ref: Stirling Bridge & Falkirk 129798 William Wallaces rebellion by Pete Armstrong