Bannockburn, Battle of

The battle near Stirling, 23 June 1314, where the English, commanded by Edward II, was defeated by Robert Bruce, king of Scotland. The English set out to relieve Stirling castle, but the English cavalry, met by the Scots in the Forth Valley plain. Both sides prepared for a morning battle. The Scots, using spears , managed to catch the English cavalry between the two rivers and cut to pieces. Only Berwick remained in English hands; the legend of Robert the Bruce carrying Scotland closer to independence.