BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN. 175 



hundred men-at-arms, reserved for that express object, and charge the bowmen in 

 the flank. This order was executed with such celerity and effect, that the whole 

 archery, who had no protection against a squadron of horse, were dispersed, 

 trampled, or cut down, almost without resistance. The battle now raged to 

 the manifest disadvantage of the EngHsh. Their infantry suffered severely from 

 the galling shafts of the Scottish archers, who were now become more formi- 

 dable by the dispersion of their rivals. But the chief cause of Edward's defeat may 

 be attributed to the impossibility of bringing any part of his immense centre or 

 rearguard to the support of those in front, who had to support the full shock of 

 the engagement. Bruce, observing the confusion, now placed himself at the head 

 of the reserve, and addressing Angus, Lord of the Isles, in these emphatic words — 

 " My hope is in thee !" — rushed into the thickest of the engagement. The effect 

 of this well-timed manoeuvre was decisive: the firm began to falter — the 

 irresolute gave way ; a retreat was commenced, and that retreat was speedily 

 converted into a complete rout, which neither authority nor personal example 

 could arrest At this critical conjuncture, too, the camp-followers of the Scottish 

 army suddenly appeared on the ridge of Gillies' Hill, in front of which extended 

 the line of battle. There, displaying horse cloths and camp furniture on the ends 

 of poles, they presented the appearance of a fresh army under floating banners, 

 ready to crush all further resistance. The effect was like that of an apparition 

 upon a weak and guilty mind — paralysing its energies, and supplanting the last 

 spark of courage by some inexplicable dread. The van rushed back upon the 

 centre — the centre on the rear; and the dreadful confusion that succeeded, was 

 hardly less fatal to the enemy than the weapons of their pursuers. The deep 

 ravine of Bannockburn was almost choked and bridged overwith the slain ; for 

 here the fugitive horsemen, being retarded by the difficulty of the ground, fell 

 victims to the lancers who readily overtook them. Others, in the blindness of 

 terror, rushed into the Forth, and there perished in great numbers. No less 

 than twenty-seven barons lay dead on the field, and at the head of this fatal list 

 was the earl of Gloucester. Young, brave, and high-minded, when he saw the 

 day was lost, he rode headlong upon the Scottish spears and was slain. Sir 

 Robert Chfford, renowned in the Scottish wars, was another distinguished victim. 

 Two hundred knights, and seven hundred esquires of high birth and blood, and 

 representing the noblest names in England, headed the list of slaughter, which 

 was filled up with thirty thousand of the common troops. Edward, among whose 

 weaknesses cowardice could not be numbered, was reluctantly forced from the 

 field by the earl of Pembroke. The noble Sir Giles d' Argentine, considering 

 it as his duty, attended his sovereign till he saw him in personal safety ; then 



