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"Braveheart"'s Sterling (11 Sept. 1297)
(Great Battles of Hollywood Series)
By Jonathan Lim
Ahh, who can forget Auld Stirling Bridge? Well, apparently Mel Gibson did,
because the film "Braveheart" has a wildly different form of the battle, fought on what looks suspiciously like an English golf course. (actually, that's exactly what it is).
Rumour has it that while filming the Battle of Stirling, the following
exchange took place between Mel Gibson and a Scottish farmer:
FARMER: Where's Stirling Bridge??
MEL: We had to get rid of it; it got in the way.
FARMER: Aye! That's what the English found!
Anyway, despite the Hollywoodisation of the Battle of Stirling, it's still
a fine battle to depict on the wargames table, especially at wargames
conventions!
The Armies
The battle is between the Scots Common Army of William Wallace (and his
eccentric comrades Steven and Hamish), and their foes, the evil Feudal
English.
You will notice that the armies bear little resemblence to their DBA
cousins:
SCOTS COMMON: 1xWb ("I'm going ta pick a fight!"), 6 x Wb ("Can't be, he's not tall enoogh!"), 3 x Pk ("long spears, tweece as lang as a man"), 2 x Cv
(light Scottish Cavalry used to outflank the bad guys). FEUDAL ENGLISH: 1xKn ("Arrogant bastard! I want this Wallace's heart on a plate!"), 4 x Kn ("Shake the very groond"), 4 x Bw (Welsh longbowmen), 3 x Bd (other Englishmen).
Terrain
Flat plain, covered in lush golfing green type grass. Slight rise behind
Scottish army, to hide computer special effects.
Hollow behind right of Scottish lines.
Light woodlands behind English lines.
Deployment
Scots line up in deep Wb formation. Pikes may be set up in contact with
front of warband in single line, and may be passed through by warband.
Cavalry has been sent on a flank march behind English lines. The dim-witted
English, being bad guys, believe the Scottish horse have fled the field.
English line up with knights and archers in front and heavy infantry
behind. The Scots are terrified at their knights, which "shake the very
groond".
Battle
English archers are the first to strike. The Scots, who had been mooning
the evil English, manage to survive the English assault. English knights
charge. Scottish pikes repel the Knights and charge themselves. Then Scottish
cavalry arrive on enemy left flank. The cavalry charge the English archers,
and massacre them. Meanwhile Scottish warband massacre both Knights and
Blades. The English flee.
Conclusion
This is quite an easy battle to depict - even more so if one
uses DBM, which allows flank marches. The Braveheart battlescene is a joy
to watch, with nice colours. It should create a stir at any wargames
convention!
Gamer Feedback
Chris Brantley: To ensure the most accurate possible recreation of this Hollywood Battle, you will want to employ as many of the Thistle and Rose "Rude Scots" miniatures as you can find.
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Last Update: Jan. 13, 2001
My thanks to Jonathan Lim for this scenario. Gamer feedback is welcome. Send comments to Chris Brantley at IamFanaticus@gmail.com.
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