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 Robert Bruce, the son of that Robert Bruce who held a conference with Wallace upon the banks of the Carron, and grandson to him who had been competitor with Baliol, had, in 1306, been crowned King of Scotland; and being informed of Edward's formidable preparations, he raised an army of 30,000 of his subjects, to oppose him. This armament bore but a small proportion to that of Edward's; but it was composed of soldiers, who were hardened by long practice of war, and who now carried upon the point of their sword, liberty and honour, and every thing that was dear to them. With these Robert took up his station in the neighbourhood of Stirling, and waited for Edward's arrival.

The two armies came in sight of each other, in the month of June, and soon after a bloody battle was fought, in which the Scots obtained a victory, the most celebrated of any in the annals of that kingdom. The procedure of this memorable event was as follows.

The English having marched from Edinburgh to Falkirk in one day, and upon the morrow, setting out from thence towards Stirling, encamped to the northward of the Torwood. About Upper-