the Battle of Bannockburn
Jun 24
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow!
Let us do or die!”
~ Scots Wha Hae, Robert Burns (1759-1796)
The Battle of Bannockburn on June 23rd and 24th, 1314, was a significant Scottish victory led by King Robert the Bruce against King Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. While it didn't secure a definitive end to the war, which continued for another 14 years, it marked a pivotal moment in Scottish history. This John Drewy medley is a comparatively early work, and his selection of music mirrors the actual event: "Bonnybridge" is a bridge across Bannock Burn (“burn” meaning “small river”), where the battle took place. "Stirling Castle" is, so to speak, the starter of the whole affair: The castle was occupied by English troops and being besieged by Edward Bruce (Robert’s brother). It was agreed that the English were to relinquish the castle during the summer of 1314, unless there had been reinforcements from England by that time (Edward – the English king – was busy with internal politics at the time). Robert the Bruce was not enthusiastic about this arrangement, since in his opinion it gave the castle’s garrison too much time, and Edward – the English king – managed to take care of his domestic problems and to raise a comparatively huge (two or three times the number of Bruce’s men) army in order to liberate Stirling Castle and put the rebellious Scots into their place at the same time. He reached Stirling immediately before the ultimatum for clearing the castle expired. – The first reel, "The Old Bog Hole", alludes to the actual battle in the plains near Stirling; Bruce, having had the area along the Falkirk road riddled with deep pits, forced the English army to detour through the open country off the road, where they were crammed between various water courses and had little room to maneuver. The second reel, "Soldier's Joy", naturally symbolises the elation of the Scottish troops after winning the day. Dancing this medley is a commemorative accomplishment! 🏴 ⚔️
1314
The dance "1314" marks the date of the victory of the Battle of Bannockburn, taking place over two days ending in June 24, 1314.
***
Notes from the Scottish Country Dance Database:
This dance commemorates the Battle of Bannockburn, which took place at the end of June, 1314 – Scotland under its king, Robert the Bruce, fought an English army under king Edward II. and won. Bannockburn, being as it is one of the rare Scottish triumphs over their southerly neighbours, plays an important role in Scottish tradition and lore; the victory is not only celebrated in Burns' famous poem, Scots Wha Hae, but also in the modern (inofficial) rugby anthem Flower of Scotland.
See below for a video of the dance performed by The Silver Thistle Dancers of Richmond, Virginia in 2014, click the battlefield memorial plaque.
And for more about the actual battle, click the depiction from the Scotichronicon (c.1440), the earliest known image of the battle, showing King Robert wielding an axe and Edward II fleeing toward Stirling feature prominently, conflating incidents from the two days of battle.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
