Testing Bannockburn

In preparation for the 2027 Society of Ancients Bannockburn Battle Day we decided to have a test run with the figures we have and using Tree of Battles rules.

This is the initial set-up based on the assumption that the Scots have taken the English by surprise. They have moved off the high ground to advance on the English camp. Gloucester’s vanguard has deployed to meet them — the knights, of course, in front and the infantry following up behind.

Although the English players had hoped to move their archers to the front, their knights had a different view. As soon as the Scots came within archery range, the knights, set off to engage the enemy.

With absolute certainty that their superior rank and valour would win the day, the English horse crashed into the Scottish schiltrons. The Scots braced to receive the charge.

It did not go well for the English. Their right hand unit was broken and Gloucester’s men on the left retired in disarray past their supporting infantry. Meanwhile King Edward II’s battle began to deploy from the camp.

At this point Hereford’s battle began to arrive on the English left, crossing a bridge over the Bannock Burn.

Having driven off the English cavalry the Scots decide to advance to bottle the English up and to prevent them from bringing more archers to the fore.

As Angus Og MacDonald’s Islemen move up to drive off Hereford’s archers, Hereford leads his knight forward to charge them.

The Islemen break and Hereford’s knights follow in hot pursuit. Their ardour up, Hereford’s men ignore his efforts to rein them in.

With the Scots closing in, many of the English archers are stymied because they are behind the front ranks and have no targets. Indeed the fewer Scottish archers and skirmishers do better. That said, one English volley does succeed in killing the Earl of Moray.

Despite the loss of their Earl, Moray’s schiltron engages a unit of English spearmen and gets the better of the combat.

In the centre, Edward Bruce and Lord Douglas lead their men forward to drive off the English archers of Gloucester’s vanguard. They fall into disarray as they continue their charge but fail to reach King Edward’s supporting line.

The Scots are able to regain their order and surge forward against King Edward’s second line. When it comes to close combat Douglas’ men just about hold their own but King Edward’s knights retire — the king’s companions leading him away to safety. Edward Bruce’s men get the worst of the fight and are driven back by the English.

At this point the battle is on a knife edge. The Scots are running out of steam and more English troops are ready to engage them. Gloucester has rallied his knights and is ready to take on Robert the Bruce.

Gloucester leads his men forward in a ferocious charge against Robert the Bruce’s schiltron. Then, needing 5’s or 6’s to hit, the Scottish player achieves a near prefect score.

The English knights are routed and Scotland wins the day.