There was
only one way to relieve to town now – wage all-out battle. On the morning of
July 19th, Douglas arrayed his forces on Witches’ Knowle, north of
Halidon Hill where the English were stationed. King Edward would not move from
his vantage point. So Douglas felt he had no choice but to descend from his
hilltop, cross the marshy ground between and attack the English on the slopes
of Halidon Hill.
By the time the Scots began uphill, arrows began to descend. Their ranks were decimated, but they pressed onward. Soon, the entire Scottish army was in retreat.
By the time the Scots began uphill, arrows began to descend. Their ranks were decimated, but they pressed onward. Soon, the entire Scottish army was in retreat.
Although the
Scots outnumbered the English at the onset of battle, it was Scotland that
suffered that day. Thousands of Scots lost their lives, including Archibald
Douglas. English casualties numbered only in the dozens.
Of those who
survived, many Scots capitulated. But the fighting was not over. Many more
battles would ensue in the years after. Edward Balliol would not wear the crown for long. Young
King David (the Bruce’s son) had been whisked away to safety, and his nephew, Robert
Stewart (the Bruce’s grandson), had escaped the devastation of Halidon Hill.
Until later,
Gemi
