He called together the principal generals of the Scottish army. There was his brother Sir Edward Bruce, Sir James Douglas, Randolph Earl of Moray and
Walter, the High Steward of Scotland.
He was very sober as he addressed them. ‘We are out-numbered three-to-
one, but do not let the men know this. I have carefully examined the ground and I want the right wing of the army to rest on the banks of the burn. There we can be sure of not being outflanked. The front of the army shall extend to St. Ninian village.’
“The left will be less protected than the rest of the army,’ pointed out
Moray.
‘You speak truth. It will be exposed to the garrison of Stirling Castle. That is why I have ordered that pits be dug in that area and in these shall be placed iron spikes.’
‘ ‘Tis a grand idea,’ cried Douglas.
‘And the hollows will be filled with brushwood,’ went on Bruce.
‘No horse will be able to pass over that ground,’ commented the Steward.
‘That was the intention,’ smiled Bruce. ‘Now, let us go forward with a quiet confidence. The odds are against us but we can succeed.’
‘We must succeed,’ said Randolph.
‘I thank God that it is not the English King’s father who comes against us,’
murmured Bruce.
‘Doubtless, they will carry his bones before the army,’ said the Steward,
who was not a veteran of battle as the others were.
Bruce smiled at his smooth young face.
‘We learn to believe only in those omens which bring good to us,’ he said
‘But if they are good or evil―’ began the young man.
‘Evil― good― either is born in the mind. And so are victory and defeat. My friends, let us say together, “This day we shall succeed.” Come, I will speak to the men. I want every man who fights under my banner this day to be there
because he wishes to see Scotland free. I want no reluctant men in my army.’
He rode forward on his small grey mare, an unimpressive animal but
surefooted and chosen for this reason. He was clad on his helmet he wore a circlet of gold that all might recognize him as the King, and in spite of his somewhat unkingly mount there was that about him which inspired men and
never had it been more apparent than at that moment.
He spoke in clear ringing tones. The enemy was close. Many of the men
here this day would remember the bloody battles between Scotland and the late King. That King was dead now and he believed they had little to fear from his son.
‘If there is a man among you who is not fully resolved to win this field or die with honor, let him throw down his arms and go. I want no such man in my army. I would rather have but half the men who stand before me now and they good brave men, loyal to Scotland, than double the present numbers with traitors or reluctant men among you. Now is your chance. Speak now if you will. I offer you liberty to go or stay.’
There was a deep silence. Bruce’s heart was beating uncertainly. What if
there cowardly men among them? What if they, sensing death close by― for
assuredly it would come to some this day— grew faint-hearted and thought with longing of their bairns and their firesides away in some remote comer of
Scotland far from St Ninian’s and Bannockburn?
Not a movement in the ranks. Not a sound to be heard but the ripple of the burn.
Then a great shout went up. ‘Victory for the Bruce and Scotland forever.’
I have good and faithful men to serve me, thought Bruce. That augurs well for Scotland.
―――――――
Edward’s great desire was to get the battle over. He had no doubt of the
outcome. He had a fine army. If his father were looking down on him now he would be pleased with him. The Scots could not stand out against him. He had been angry because of those barons who had refused to join him but now he
laughed to think how sorry they would be when he returned victorious to
England.
The first thing to do was relieve Mowbray at Stirling Castle. That would
be a fine gesture. He sent for Sir Robert Clifford and ordered that he take an advance party of eight hundred cavalry and capture the castle.
Sir Robert rode off. It was certain that the Scots would be expecting this move. Stirling Castle was a strategic point and it was to relieve the governor that the English army had come to Scotland. He must therefore be wary. He knew
where the enemy army was situated and instead of taking direct route which could have resulted in his being seen, he with his men rode quietly round the village of St Ninian’s taking care to keep themselves out of sight as much as possible. Thus Randolph Earl of Moray whom Bruce had commanded to be
watchful of just such a move did not see what was happening and it was Robert the Bruce himself who caught sight of Sir Robert and his band making their way cautiously to the castle.
The Bruce rode hastily to Randolph and demanded to know what this meant.
‘You have thought too lightly of the charge I gave you. A rose has fallen
from your chaplet this day, nephew.’
Overcome with horror Randolph rode off immediately in pursuit of Clifford
who hearing the approach, gave the order to his men to wheel round and attack.
Randolph had only five hundred men and he was out-numbered but he
formed his troops into a square with spears held before them. The English rode forward but they could not break through the Scottish spears and Clifford gave the order to surround the Scots. The English cavalry was heavily armed and the Scottish weapons were only their long spears, short knives and battle-axes. The Scots put up a magnificent fight but they were against the heavy arms of the English cavalry and surrounded as they were, it seemed inevitable that they must be defeated although they might inflict heavy casualties upon their
opponents.
Bruce was watching the affray from some distance, Sir James Douglas
beside him.
‘By God, my lord,’ said Douglas, ‘this will be the end of Randolph. I must go to his aid.’
‘Nay,’ said Bruce. ‘To do so would mean a change of our plans. Randolph
should have stopped them before they got so Let him fight his way out of this.’
‘It will be death for him. They will be wiped out― the whole force.’
While the conflict between Randolph and Clifford was in progress the
English army had been brought to a halt while it was considered whether to begin battle that day or wait until the next. Both men and horses were tired from the long march and it was finally decided that the following day would be more appropriate.
Robert the Bruce was of the same mind regarding the time to begin the fight.
The possible loss of Randolph had meant that he must make certain adjustments to his plans, and he was riding along the line of his army, seated not on a warhorse but on his small grey mare, carrying as his only weapon his steel battle-axe when he was seen by one of the knights who was suddenly filled with a desire to win glory for himself.
The de Bohuns belonged to one of the leading families of the nobility and
their prestige had been greatly enhanced when Humphrey the fourth Earl of
Hereford and third Earl of Essex had married Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward I after she had been widowed by the Earl of Holland. It was true that the King might not have chosen this match for his daughter but Elizabeth had taken a fancy to Humphrey de Bohun and declared that as she had married once for state reasons she should be allowed the second time to marry as she wished.