William Wallace wins at Stirling Bridge

September 11, 1297

A low-born Scottish outlaw led a force of spearmen against an English army crossing the narrow wooden bridge over the Forth. Wallace caught them half across and slaughtered them in the marsh. The English treasurer was skinned; the victory made Wallace guardian of Scotland. The battle demonstrated that disciplined infantry could defeat heavily armored cavalry by choosing ground that negated the horsemen's advantage.