On 11 September 1297, a Scottish army commanded by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated English forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

The English army had assembled south of the River Forth. To reach the Scots, positioned on higher ground near Abbey Craig, its soldiers had to cross a narrow wooden bridge. The ground on the northern side was poorly suited to heavily armoured cavalry.

English troops began crossing during the morning. Wallace and Moray waited, allowing part of the English force to reach the northern bank while much of the army remained across the river.

The Scots then advanced. Scottish spearmen moved towards the bridge, cutting off the English troops who had crossed from the rest of their army. With the river restricting their movement and reinforcements unable to cross quickly enough, the isolated force was defeated.

Among those killed was Hugh de Cressingham, Edward I’s treasurer in Scotland. The surviving English forces south of the river withdrew.

The victory strengthened the Scottish resistance to Edward I’s rule. Wallace’s position improved greatly, but Moray was wounded in the fighting and died later in 1297.