The Battle of Stirling Bridge, fought on September 11, 1297, marked a turning point in the First War of Scottish Independence and solidified William Wallace’s status as a national hero.
This battle was a testament to Wallace’s strategic genius and the determination of the Scottish forces to resist English domination.
Stirling Bridge was a crucial crossing point over the River Forth, and controlling it was key to maintaining supply lines and communication.
The English army, led by John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham, underestimated the Scottish forces and made a critical tactical error by attempting to cross the narrow bridge in large numbers.
Then, they launched a ferocious attack, trapping the English on the Scottish side of the river while preventing the rest from crossing.
The English forces were thrown into disarray and suffered heavy losses, including the death of Cressingham.
It demonstrated that the English forces were not invincible and that strategic cunning could overcome numerical superiority.
However, the Battle of Stirling Bridge also came at a great cost. Andrew Moray, Wallace’s co-commander and a key figure in the Scottish resistance, was mortally wounded during the battle and died a few months later.
His death was a significant loss for the Scottish cause and left Wallace to carry on the fight for Scottish independence alone.
Source: https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-8/william-wallace/
The Battle of Stirling Bridge is depicted in the 1995 Mel Gibson film Braveheart, but it bears little resemblance to the real battle, there being no bridge (due mainly to the difficulty of filming around the bridge itself).
The Wallace Monument (above), which was constructed in 1861, is a tribute to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and a symbol of Scottish nationalist pride. The Wallace Monument was constructed following a fundraising campaign, which accompanied a resurgence of Scottish national identity in the 19th century. In addition to public subscription, it was partially funded by contributions from a number of foreign donors, including Italian national leader Giuseppe Garibaldi. The foundation stone was laid in 1861 by the Duke of Atholl in his role as Grand Master Mason of Scotland with a short speech given by Sir Archibald Alison.
