July 22, 1298 · Falkirk, central Scotland Theater
July 22, 1298
Edward I himself returned and caught Wallace's army near Falkirk. Wallace formed his spearmen into 'schiltrons' — hedgehog rings of pikes — which broke the English cavalry charges, but Edward's Welsh and English longbowmen shot the packed circles to pieces from a distance, and when gaps opened the horsemen rode in.
Commanders