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William Wallace and Andrew Moray exploited a narrow wooden bridge across the Riv
1297 Event

September 11

Wallace Triumphs at Stirling Bridge: English Destroyed

William Wallace and Andrew Moray exploited a narrow wooden bridge across the River Forth to annihilate a much larger English army at Stirling on September 11, 1297. The English commander, the Earl of Surrey, allowed his troops to cross the bridge in small groups rather than seeking a wider ford. When roughly half the English army had crossed, Wallace attacked, trapping them in a loop of the river where they couldn't retreat or form proper battle lines. An estimated 5,000 English soldiers were killed, including the hated tax collector Hugh de Cressingham, whose skin was allegedly stripped from his body by the Scots. The victory made Wallace the Guardian of Scotland and inspired a nationwide rebellion against English occupation.

September 11, 1297

729 years ago

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