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Stirling Old Bridge
Battle of Stirling Bridge
Sep 11
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 To Scotland's ancient realm,
Proud Edward's armies came;
To sap our freedom and overwhelm
Our martial forces in shame.
"It shall not be" brave Wallace cried!
"It shall not be" his chiefs relied!
By the name our fathers gave her,
Our steel shall drink the crimson stream,
We'll all her dearest right redeem,
Our own broadswords shall save her."
~ Battle of Stirling, William Sinclair
Stirling Brig, a site rich in Scottish history, marks one of the most defining moments in the fight for Scottish independence. On September 11, 1297, at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, William Wallace and Andrew de Moray led their forces to a stunning victory over the English. By cleverly using the narrow wooden bridge to their advantage, the Scots trapped and overwhelmed the English army as they attempted to cross, shifting the tide in the Wars of Scottish Independence and solidifying Wallace’s reputation as a national hero. Although the original wooden bridge has long since deteriorated, a stone bridge was built nearby in the 15th century, known today as Stirling Old Bridge. This lively tribute reel contains an interesting side slipping figure for individual dancers, perpendicular to the (bridge) set line! ⚔️ 🏴
Stirling Brig
The Battle of Stirling Bridge, fought on September 11, 1297, was a pivotal moment in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray, the Scots faced off against a significantly larger English force commanded by John de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey, and Hugh de Cressingham, the English treasurer. The battle took place at a narrow wooden bridge near Stirling, where the River Forth created a natural bottleneck, playing into the Scots’ hands.
The English, confident in their numbers, began crossing the bridge, but the Scots waited until a portion of their army had crossed before launching a fierce attack. Wallace and Moray's forces ambushed the English, using the narrow bridge to trap and overwhelm them. Unable to retreat, many English soldiers were killed or driven into the river to drown. The bridge itself collapsed under the weight of the panicked English forces. Hugh de Cressingham was among the many who died, and the Scots famously flayed his body, using his skin as a symbol of victory. The decisive victory at Stirling gave the Scots control over much of Scotland and solidified William Wallace's status as a national hero.
In the aftermath, Wallace was knighted and became the Guardian of Scotland, leading a renewed campaign against English forces. The victory at Stirling Bridge significantly boosted Scottish morale and inspired further resistance against English occupation. However, the war was far from over, as the English soon regrouped and, a year later, dealt a crushing blow to Wallace's forces at the Battle of Falkirk. Despite this, the Battle of Stirling Bridge remains a defining moment in Scotland's fight for independence, showcasing the effectiveness of strategic planning and guerrilla tactics over brute force.
For more on this battle, click the painting by Brian Palmer
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
