Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

1. The Battle of Stirling Bridge Marker

Inscription. In early September 1297 a mighty army arrived in Stirling to put down Scots resistance to English rule. The Scots allowed around half the invaders to advance across the narrow bridge over the Forth. Then William Wallace and the Scots swept forward to achieve a brilliant victory over a far-superior force.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1297.

Location. 56° 7.729′ N, 3° 56.16′ W. Marker is in Stirling, Scotland. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stirling, Scotland FK9 5AP, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. National Wallace Monument (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); Battle of Bannockburn (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); Fit For A King (approx. 9.4 kilometers away); The Holy Grail (approx. 9.5 kilometers away); Antonine Wall Rough Castle (approx. 15.2 kilometers away); The Northern Defences (approx. 15.3 kilometers away); Antonine Wall (approx. 15.4 kilometers away); The Roman Fort (approx. 15.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stirling.

Also see . . . The Battle of Stirling Bridge. The BBC's account of the battle. Includes a picture of a marker with the exact same picture and wording, but in red.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

On the battle's significance: ...Victory brings the collapse of English occupation. Wallace, now Guardian of Scotland, goes on to devastate the north of England in the hope of forcing Edward to acknowledge defeat. Records show that 715 villages are burnt and many helpless people are no doubt slain. The cycle of brutality, started by Edward at Berwick, rolls remorselessly on. Until 1297 the heavily armed and mounted knight had been an invincible force on the battlefield. Stirling Bridge was the first battle in Europe to see a common army of spearmen defeat a feudal host. Only five years later a host of French knights were to go down to similarly-armed Flemish townsmen at The Battle of Courtrai. Stirling Bridge also destroyed the myth of English invincibility. The Scots had not defeated a major English army since the Dark Ages, but this victory seems to have strengthened their will to resist Edward I. However, the humiliation of losing to lowly Scots only strengthened Edward's determination: under a year later Wallace's Scots Army was defeated at The Battle of Falkirk. (Submitted on July 19, 2015.)

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

2. The Battle of Stirling Bridge Marker

Stirling Bridge pillar with Wallace inscribed

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

3. The Battle of Stirling Bridge Marker

Stirling Bridge with the National Wallace Monument in the distant on Abbey Craig

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

4. The Battle of Stirling Bridge Marker

River Forth from atop Stirling Bridge

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

5. The Battle of Stirling Bridge Marker

Stirling Bridge from northwest

Stirling Bridge from the Southeast. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 2, 2011

6. Stirling Bridge from the Southeast.

Note that this is not the actual bridge that the English crossed at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. That was a wooden bridge located about 170 meters upstream from this 15th Century stone bridge. The wooden bridge was destroyed shortly after the battle by the English to prevent pursuit by the Scots.

The Battle of Stirling Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011

7. The Battle of Stirling Bridge

View of Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument from atop Stirling Castle.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 7. submitted on July 19, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.