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Scottish Pike Schiltron
The Scottish schiltron was an infantry tactic forming dense circular or square formations of pikemen, bristling outward to repel heavy cavalry charge…
Timeline
- 1298–1305Falkirk · FalkirkAt the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 Scottish infantry used schiltron circles to resist English heavy cavalry; though they broke under flanking archer and crossbow fire, the deterrent power of dense pike formations against cavalry was proven, becoming the core concept of subsequent Scottish infantry tactics.
- 1306–1310Scottish Lowlands · LowlandsAfter Robert Bruce's coronation (1306) he improved the schiltron during the wars of independence: pikemen used terrain for ambushes, protected flanks from massed archer and crossbow fire, and repeatedly repelled English knightly charges in 1307–1310, laying the tactical foundation for the great victory at Bannockburn in 1314.
Sources
- Schiltron https://www.britannica.com/topic/schiltron
- The Scottish Wars of Independence, 1214–1328 — Michael Brown (2004)