Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/18

 to meet the enemy in the field before the appointed day.

Edward had now matured his plans, and entered Scotland with the largest army that had ever crossed the border, for the purpose, not only of relieving Stirling, but of utterly overwhelming all opposition in the field, and reducing the kingdom to a state of final and permanent subjection: Robert, knowing that a battle must inevitably take place in the neighbourhood of Stirling, gave orders that his forces should assemble at the Torwood, between Stirling and Falkirk.

The English army amounted to more than 100,000 men, quite confident of victory, and only anticipating the spoil they had in prospect. The army of Robert scarcely amounted to 30,000, but is consisted of soldiers inured to war and hardship, and burning with zeal and patriotic ardour. Besides this army there was a tumultuary and undisciplined rabble, who, as was the custom in those days, followed the camp. These on this occasion, as the sequel showed, were of essential service in the battle that enused.

Robert, who was no less skilful than brave, took up his position with the greatest judgment. He had the small rivulet of Bannockburn on the right, and Stirling, at the distance of nearly two miles, on the left. He was deficient in cavalry but the banks of the rivulet being in many pla-