The Battle of Bannockburn was fought in 1314 between the English and the Scots. It took place on 23–24 June near Stirling during the First War of Scottish Independence, ending in a decisive Scottish victory led by Robert the Bruce.
The battle began as King Edward II of England marched north to relieve the English-held Stirling Castle, which was under siege. Bruce positioned his smaller army on difficult ground, where marshes and narrow approaches limited the effectiveness of England’s heavily armoured cavalry. Scottish infantry formed defensive spear formations known as schiltrons.
Bannockburn became a turning point in Scotland’s struggle for independence. Although it did not immediately end the war, it strengthened Bruce’s position and helped lead to the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328, when England formally recognised Scottish independence. A common mix-up is confusing Bannockburn with the 1298 Battle of Falkirk, another major Anglo-Scottish battle involving William Wallace.