”The battle of Bannockburn”

Государственное бюджетное общеобразовательное учреждение средняя общеобразовательная школа № 46 с углубленным изучением английского языка Приморского района г. Санкт-Петербурга

An oral presentation of the topic ”The battle of Bannockburn”

at St Petersburg Forum ‘KNOWLEDGE OF SCOTLAND’ Competition  for St.Petersburg schools

                                              By Taisia Tukhina, 10 form

                                     English teacher: I.A. Zasetskaya

                                                                                                                                                                               2019

Here I am, the spiny flower of Scotland. You call me Thistle. And I don’t object as long as you respect me and even make legends about me. One of them says, an invading Norse army was trying to sneak into a Scottish encampment. Accidentally, a Norseman stepped on a thistle. He shrieked in pain, alerting the Scots. Since then you’ve been calling me the symbol of courage and independence. It’s evident that we consider them the highest values in life! Robert Burns wrote, “We will drain our dearest veins, but we shall be free!”

Looking back into the past, we might remember that Scotland emerged as an independent state  in 843. However, the level of its independence depended on the relations with England.

Sad as it is, Scotland and England have always been divided by historical circumstances, which were especially dramatic during the Wars of Independence.

The First War  of Scottish Independence   began in 1296. Every Scot knows who won the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. It is the most celebrated victory in Scottish history. For centuries, it has been commemorated in verse and art, although it did not bring the outright victory in the war, which was won 14 years later at the negotiating table.

English king Edward II mobilised a massive military machine of 13,000 warriors, including 2000 cavalrymen and archers from England, Ireland and Wales. It was by far the largest English army ever to invade Scotland.

After eight years of successful guerrilla warfare the Scots created a battle-hardened army, though it was half the size and badly equipped if compared to Edward’s forces. It numbered around 6000 warriors, including 500 cavalrymen divided into three spear schiltrons, one of them led by King Robert the Bruce.

The battle opened with a celebrated individual contest. When the English vanguard clashed with the Scots, an English knight, Sir Henry de Bohun, spotted the King of Scotland. Keen to make a name for himself, he attacked the king. Bruce answered the challenge and struck de Bohun dead. Elated, the Scots forced the English cavalry to withdraw. An English detachment tried to outflank the Scots. However, a reserve schiltron dashed out of the wood and scattered the English cavalry.

The Scots won the first day. Their morale was high as they were fighting for the native land’s independence, led by a wise and courageous king.

In the morning. Bruce decided to risk and face the enemies in the open battle. An archery duel began, and the Scots schiltron rapidly took the offensive. Bruce's schiltron advanced on the English vanguard, felling the enemies, while Randolph's schiltron closed them up on the left. The English knights now were hemmed. There was a ferocious hand to hand combat between the knights and the spearmen. At this crucial point Bruce led his  schiltron into the combat. The English began to retreat. Edward II fled, which caused panic in his army.

The casualties were heavy. The greater part of Edward's army did not survive. The Scottish lost up to 4,000 warriors.

The Battle of Bannockburn ensured Scotland's independence for the next twenty years.

As for personal independence, the Scots have always preserved it as the basis of the national character. And the greatest gifts they give to their children are the roots of bravery and the wings of independence!

Those days are past now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again!
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
To think again.

O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen.
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homeward
To think again.

Alba gu brath!