Free Republic

'A SIMPLE wreath-laying ceremony was staged to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn yesterday as the Scottish Government declared the event had helped inspire the nation’s “psyche”. A handful of visitors watched a ceremony at the spot Robert the Bruce is said to have planted his standard the night before he led his troops into battle. However, more than 15,000 people are expected to flock to the site, on the outskirts of Stirling, this weekend for a series of dramatic re-enactments and a “celebration” of Scottish culture and history. Ten children with roots from different parts of...

June 24th marks the 700th anniversary of the Scots’ defeat of the English at the Battle of Bannockburn, an event that drove the English army out of Scotland and firmly established Robert the Bruce as king. Although the war for Scottish independence wasn't over for another 14 years, this overwhelming victory of inferior Scottish forces is generally viewed as the event that secured Scotland's independence for the next 400 years. An outnumbered, ragtag band of patriots prevailing over a large, well-equipped national army has long been the favored narrative of insurrectionists of all ilks. June 28th marks the 100 anniversary...