Difference between revisions of "MTW Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297"

Latest revision as of 16:27, 14 April 2011

Description

Two deaths lead to the end of more than 100 years of peace between Scotland and England and ushered in 250 years of rivalry, warfare, savage hatred, and border skirmishes. The rivalries and dislikes stirred up in these times are still felt today: just ask any Scotsman for an opinion on the English! The first death, that of Alexander III of Scotland happened in 1286. The Scottish lords declared his infant granddaughter Margaret, the Maid of Norway, to be their new Queen, and all seemed well. In 1290 Edward I of England negotiated a treaty of marriage between Margaret and his own son, the future Edward II, but sadly Margaret died on the voyage from Norway to England. She was eight years old, and her death marked the end of peace in Scotland. Although the marriage treaty had been quite clear that Scotland was to remain an independent country, Edward I had his own agenda. He declared himself overlord of Scotland and the Scottish lords played into his hands by agreeing that he arbitrated in choosing a new king. Edward chose a puppet, John de Balliol, who went so far as to do homage to him. Even this wasn't enough for Edward. His constant interference in Scottish affairs eventually provoked even de Balliol into resistance. An alliance with France was the result, and Edward invaded Scotland to reassert his claims to be overlord. He rapidly conquered the country, and even removed the Stone of Scone (the Scottish symbol of kingship) to Westminster, and de Balliol was imprisoned in the Tower of London. But the Scots had found a champion: William Wallace (or 'Walays', as medieval spelling had a tendency to change at random) was the second son of an obscure family, but he had proved to be a canny fighter and rebel. His campaign in 1296 into England had been successful, and he was rewarded with knighthood in his own right and proclaimed guardian of Scotland, ruling in de Balliol's name. In 1297 an English army was determined to bring order (as they saw it) once more to Scotland. The walled town of Stirling dominated the Forth valley, and needed to be taken. In front of the English was a rough-and-ready army of Scotsmen, determined that they would not be underlings in their own country. John de Warrene, the English commander, sent a message to the Scots, giving them the chance to surrender in return for a royal pardon. Sir William Wallace's reply made sure that there would be no surrender, and that Stirling Bridge would be a famous victory for him and Scottish arms: 'Tell your people that we have not come here to gain peace, but are prepared for battle, to avenge and deliver our country. Let them come up when they like, and they will find us ready to meet them even to their beards. In the end, William Wallace was to pay a harsh penalty for his successes. In 1305, he was hung, drawn and quartered as a traitor. The English saw him not as a fighter for an independent nation, but as a rebel against his legal overlords...

Win Conditions

• Sir William Wallace must survive
• Your highland army must not be defeated or driven from the battlefield
• You must defeat the English army

Scottish Army

• 20 Chivalric Knights
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Archers
• 60 Archers
• 60 Spearmen
• 60 Pikemen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Highland Clansmen
• 60 Crossbowmen

English Army

• 40 Chivalric Knights
• 60 Chivalric Knights
• 200 Chivalric Foot Knights
• 200 Feudal Men-At-Arms
• 200 Feudal Men-At-Arms
• 200 Archers
• 200 Spearmen
• 200 Peasants
• 200 Peasants
• 200 Feudal Sergeants
• 200 Feudal Sergeants
• 200 Spearmen
• 200 Spearmen
• 200 Chivalric Men-At-Arms
• 200 Chivalric Men-At-Arms

Tactics

Need input for this section.

Credits

The Background descriptions and Win Conditions are taken straight from the game text files in "\Medieval - Total War\Loc\Eng\", HISTCAMPAIGNS.TXT, HISTORICAL.TXT and CHANGES.TXT.