At break of day, the Scots, drawn out in battle ar ray, beheld the English already prepared ; but, not withstanding their own inferiority of number, they were animated by the justice of their cause, and with confidence in their leader. To propitiate the Deity, Maurice, Abbot of Inchaffray, celebrated mass, and passed in front of the army, bearing a crucifix in his hand, and exhorting the soldiers. The troops then partook of some refreshment, and Bruce, in conformity with the customs of his sera, created some of his most distinguished followers knights.
The English army was commanded by Edward in person, attended by a body guard of 500 cavalry well armed ; and among his troops were 52,000 archers. But the same unanimity did not subsist as among his foes ; although he, on his part, was confident of vic tory ; and the Scottish host having knelt with one accord to utter a pious ejaculation, and receive be nediction, he exclaimed to those around him, " Be hold, they kneel to ask mercy ! " He was quickly un deceived.
A signal was now given; the armies approached, and a sanguinary contestensued, unexampled in the annals of British history. The van of the English, compos ed of cavalry, galloped on to charge the right wing of the Scots, commanded by Edward Bruce, which re ceived them with intrepidity. While this wing was en.
gaged, Randolph advanced with a division to meet the main body of the enemy ; and the left wing also has tened to participate in the conflict. Repeated charges of cavalry attempted, but in vain, to break the Scottish line; it proved impenetrable ; they were everywhere resisted and repulsed. At this time, the battle seems to have been general, but the Scots were drawn up in a small and compact form, while the unwieldy mass of the English army could only be partially brought into action. Nevertheless, the , former were grievously annoyed by the archers ; but they fought desperately with their spears, swords, and knives, and also iron clubs or maces ; besides, they were protected by light armour, which did not restrain their agility. Edward, the king', brother, was hard pressed by the English cavalry, and the Earl of Murray, making a movement to his support, was almost overwhelmed by the multitude of the enemy, while a terrible shower of arrows saluted the third division advancing to their relief, which galled them severely. The English still presented a vast and extensive front, but the king directed one of his chosen leaders, Sir Robert Keith, to take the archers in flank with 500 horse, and their impetuosity prov ed irresistible. They were suddenly overthrown and fled with precipitation. The king, satisfied with this important advantage, brought up the reserve, encouraging his people to press onward, as they were now sure of victory ; and he spoke with greater con fidence, as the Earl of Gloucester, in endeavouring to rally the fugitives, warunhorsed and slain. The re
serve about this period fell into the line, which had been weakened in no inconsiderable degree by the previous operations : the Scottisharchers in their turn, did uncommon execution among the enemy; they inspirited each other to the attack, and their comrades bore every thing down before them. The numbers of the proved their owntlestruc tion : for those who recoiled, threw the rest into dis order, and those who fell were immediately trampled to death and destroyed. Notwithstanding, the battle continued to rage furiously, and victory was long and keenly contested. But, at length, at this critical period, the retainers of the Scottish camp, who had previously been sent to a valley in the rear, sudden ly appeared on the neighbouring height in view of the English army. Intimidated by the approach of what was believed a strong reinforcement, they soon began to waver, and as Robert urged his troops for- . ward, they gradually receded, and at lait took to flight. Edward, with 500 horse, prepared to seek shelter in Stirling Castle, but the governor found means to dissuade him from it; and he then consulted the speediest means of escape. The rout of his army became complete, their bands were totally broken, and they fled with precipitation on every side. Some sought refuge among the -rocks of the castle ; many hurried to the river Forth, where they were drowned ; but the most terrific scene of carnage was in the valley where the rivulet Bannock flows ; for the as cent towards the east being steep and difficult, and then probably impeded by wood, they were exposed to inevitable destruction. Scarce any who took that direction escalied ; the course of the, stream was in terrupted, and a bridge was formed of the bodies of the slain. The peasantry, witnessing the de:That of the English. soldiers, inhumanly, slaughtered them, gratifying their revenge, and glutting themselves in blow]. Nevertheless, prodigies of valour were ' formed ; _and, at the. earlier part of the rout, Si; Giles Argentine telling Edward it was net his cus tom to retreat, rushed amidst his enemies and was slain.. But Edward, hotly. pursued, continued his flight, followed by 60 horse under command of Douglas, until both, as if by mutual consent, halted at Winchburgh, 20 miles from the field of battle. Again mounting, the pursuit was continued 40 miles farther to Dunbar, where the castle gates being open ed to Edward, a vessel conveyed him to England.