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April 22nd, 1304 - April 22nd, 1304 - The Siege of Stirling Castle
For More Events on This Day in Scottish History - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/april-22/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we journey back to April 22nd, 1304, when King Edward I of England—known as the "Hammer of the Scots"—began the siege of Stirling Castle, the last major stronghold of Scottish resistance during the First War of Scottish Independence. And if you're curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
By early 1304, Edward I had spent years attempting to bring Scotland under English control. After defeating William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, Edward systematically subdued much of Scotland. Yet, Stirling Castle, perched atop a volcanic crag and commanding the lowest crossing of the River Forth, remained defiantly in Scottish hands. Its strategic importance was undeniable; controlling Stirling meant controlling access between the Highlands and Lowlands.
The castle was held by Sir William Oliphant and a small garrison of about 30 men. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Oliphant refused to surrender, asserting that he could not yield the castle without the permission of John de Soules, the Guardian of Scotland, who was then in exile in France. Edward, unwilling to wait, commenced the siege on April 22nd.
Edward's forces brought with them an impressive array of siege engines—at least twelve, including catapults and trebuchets. These machines hurled a relentless barrage of stones, lead balls, and incendiary devices, including Greek fire, at the castle walls. The lead for the projectiles was sourced from the roofs of nearby churches, stripped for the war effort. The siege was as much psychological as it was physical; the continuous bombardment aimed to break the morale of the defenders.
Among those present at the siege was Robert the Bruce, who at that time was aligned with Edward. Bruce was tasked with transporting siege equipment, including the massive trebuchet known as the Warwolf, from Inverkip to Stirling. He reported difficulties in moving the enormous machine, noting that no cart was large enough to carry it.
The Warwolf, or "Loup de Guerre," was one of the largest trebuchets ever constructed. Built under the supervision of Edward's chief engineer, Master James of St. George, it took five master carpenters and 50 workmen three months to assemble. The machine was so formidable that when Oliphant saw it nearing completion, he offered to surrender to avoid the devastation it would unleash.
However, Edward refused the surrender. He insisted on testing the Warwolf, ordering Oliphant and his men back into the castle to witness its power. When the Warwolf was finally deployed, it launched 140-kilogram projectiles that shattered the castle's curtain walls. Only after demonstrating the might of his new weapon did Edward accept the garrison's surrender on July 20th, 1304.
Despite earlier threats, Edward spared the lives of the Scottish defenders. Oliphant, however, was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The fall of Stirling Castle marked the near-complete subjugation of Scotland under English rule. Yet, this dominance was short-lived. Just two years later, Robert the Bruce would rebel against English authority, eventually leading Scotland to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The siege of Stirling Castle in 1304 stands as a testament to medieval warfare's brutality and the lengths to which Edward I would go to assert his dominance. It also highlights the resilience of Scottish defenders, who, despite overwhelming odds, held out for months against one of the most formidable military machines of the era.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you've enjoyed this tale of strategy, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of power. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com
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By Bagtown ClansFor More Events on This Day in Scottish History - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/april-22/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we journey back to April 22nd, 1304, when King Edward I of England—known as the "Hammer of the Scots"—began the siege of Stirling Castle, the last major stronghold of Scottish resistance during the First War of Scottish Independence. And if you're curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
By early 1304, Edward I had spent years attempting to bring Scotland under English control. After defeating William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, Edward systematically subdued much of Scotland. Yet, Stirling Castle, perched atop a volcanic crag and commanding the lowest crossing of the River Forth, remained defiantly in Scottish hands. Its strategic importance was undeniable; controlling Stirling meant controlling access between the Highlands and Lowlands.
The castle was held by Sir William Oliphant and a small garrison of about 30 men. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Oliphant refused to surrender, asserting that he could not yield the castle without the permission of John de Soules, the Guardian of Scotland, who was then in exile in France. Edward, unwilling to wait, commenced the siege on April 22nd.
Edward's forces brought with them an impressive array of siege engines—at least twelve, including catapults and trebuchets. These machines hurled a relentless barrage of stones, lead balls, and incendiary devices, including Greek fire, at the castle walls. The lead for the projectiles was sourced from the roofs of nearby churches, stripped for the war effort. The siege was as much psychological as it was physical; the continuous bombardment aimed to break the morale of the defenders.
Among those present at the siege was Robert the Bruce, who at that time was aligned with Edward. Bruce was tasked with transporting siege equipment, including the massive trebuchet known as the Warwolf, from Inverkip to Stirling. He reported difficulties in moving the enormous machine, noting that no cart was large enough to carry it.
The Warwolf, or "Loup de Guerre," was one of the largest trebuchets ever constructed. Built under the supervision of Edward's chief engineer, Master James of St. George, it took five master carpenters and 50 workmen three months to assemble. The machine was so formidable that when Oliphant saw it nearing completion, he offered to surrender to avoid the devastation it would unleash.
However, Edward refused the surrender. He insisted on testing the Warwolf, ordering Oliphant and his men back into the castle to witness its power. When the Warwolf was finally deployed, it launched 140-kilogram projectiles that shattered the castle's curtain walls. Only after demonstrating the might of his new weapon did Edward accept the garrison's surrender on July 20th, 1304.
Despite earlier threats, Edward spared the lives of the Scottish defenders. Oliphant, however, was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The fall of Stirling Castle marked the near-complete subjugation of Scotland under English rule. Yet, this dominance was short-lived. Just two years later, Robert the Bruce would rebel against English authority, eventually leading Scotland to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The siege of Stirling Castle in 1304 stands as a testament to medieval warfare's brutality and the lengths to which Edward I would go to assert his dominance. It also highlights the resilience of Scottish defenders, who, despite overwhelming odds, held out for months against one of the most formidable military machines of the era.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you've enjoyed this tale of strategy, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of power. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com