Bannockburn, A Scottish Icon.

Hello and welcome. Considering I’am based in Scotland it would be a real shame to not start off with no other song than “Blood of Bannockburn”.

Sabaton has always been a band aiming to tell history, the stories of the people in it. “Blood of Bannockburn” is a very powerful and emotional piece that anyone remotely interested in Scottish history should hear.

So, what’s the story? 1314, south of Stirling Castle, two armies meet. At the time Scotland and England were embroiled in war that today we know as the First War of Scottish Independence. The Scots had put Stirling Castle under siege. The Castle controls the vital road between the Highlands and Lowlands and at the time was held by a lord loyal to England. An agreement was reached, if no relief reaches the castle by mid-summer the defenders will surrender.

This promted the English King to march and meet the new King in the North and solidify his grip over Scotland. This culminated in the Battle of Bannockburn, not that far north from Falkirk where William Wallace’s army was defeated.

The heavily armoured English host was bogged down in the marshy lands, preventing them from using their full force. These bad conditions were worsened by the fortifications the Scots had erected, which stopped the charge of the English knights dead in their tracks. A famous story of this charge was of the duel of Henry de Bohun and Robert the Bruce, with the Bruce walking away victorious. The duel demoralized the English, putting an end to the first day of fighting.

The following day did not go any better for the English, as the terrain prevented them from using all of their forces. The Scottish infantry slowly but steadily pushed their enemies into the marshes and ditches, prompting Edward II to flee the battlefield. Edward’s flight signaled the end of the battle as the English army began a mass route.

Shortly after the battle, Stirling Castle surrendered and 14 years later peace between Scotland and England will finally become a reality with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton.

Bannockburn today stands as a symbol of Scottish resistance and bravery. The sacrifice and courage of people like William Wallace echoing to this day.