HALIDON HILL, BATTLE OF. When the Scottish War was renewed after a four years' uneasy truce, this battle of July 19, 1333, proved the sequel to the unauthorized expedition and battle of Dupplin (q.v.) and confirmed the changed balance of fortune. Bruce was dead and the Scots neglected to fulfil his "testament" of guerrilla warfare. Compared with Bannockburn (q.v.) the strategical situation was also reversed, for in 1333 Ed ward III. was besieging Berwick and a great Scottish host march ing to relieve it. With him were Baliol and Beaumont, the victors of Dupplin, and there is little doubt that his tactics were inspired by their advice and experience. His force was drawn up in three "battles," composed of dismounted knights and men-at-arms, with archers on the wings. When the Scottish impetus failed and dis organization spread, Edward ordered his knights to mount and charge, until the Scottish host was a dissolved rabble.
See Oman, History of the Art of War in the Middle Ages (1924).