Forget Braveheart: This Is How Medieval War ACTUALLY Looked

Scotland Under English Rule

• 💡 Scotland faced tyranny under King Edward I after the sudden death of King Alexander III, who left no heirs.
• 📌 The English king claimed Scotland for himself, implementing tyrannical rule and intensified taxation, leading to widespread suffering.
• ⚔️ William Wallace's initial resistance ended in crushing defeat, with Scottish nobles surrendering and Edward I occupying the last castle.

Robert I's Path to Leadership

• 🧠 Robert I, a powerful noble, initially submitted but was deeply affected by his father's dying words and the public dismemberment of William Wallace.
• ⛪ He killed his rival, John Comyn, in a church, a major taboo, but was absolved by bishops who agreed to support his coronation as king.
• 👑 In 1306, Robert was crowned King of Scots (Robert I), immediately declared an outlaw by Edward I, marking the start of his fight for independence.

Early Setbacks and Tactical Shift

• ⚠️ Robert's forces suffered heavy casualties in an early sneak attack by Valance, leading to his family's capture and his brother's death.
• 🛡️ Faced with overwhelming odds, Robert abandoned traditional chivalry and adopted guerrilla warfare tactics, burning his own castle and employing brutal methods.
• ⚔️ Douglas, Robert's fierce general, developed a manic fighting style, infiltrating occupied churches and leading killing sprees.

The Battle of Loudoun Hill

• 📈 After Edward I's death, Edward II led a 3,000-strong elite cavalry to crush the Scottish rebellion.
• 🎯 Robert I, with only 500 soldiers, strategically used the terrain at Loudoun Hill, building fortifications and traps to neutralize the heavy English cavalry in swamps.
• ✅ The Scottish forces achieved a miraculous victory, humiliating Edward II and marking a crucial turning point in the war for independence.

Legacy of Scottish Independence

• 📜 The victory at Loudoun Hill was followed by the Battle of Bannockburn seven years later, dealing England a devastating defeat.
• 🤝 In 1328, the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton officially recognized the independent sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland.
• 🎬 The film "Outlaw King" is praised for its historical accuracy and realistic depiction of cold weapon warfare, offering a stark contrast to more dramatized historical accounts.