Battle of Dupplin Moor.
The Battle of Dupplin Moor, the first major battle of the Second War of Scottish Independence, was fought between supporters of King David II of Scotland and English-backed invaders supporting Edward Balliol (seal pictured) on 11 August 1332. Balliol and a largely English force of 1,500 landed in Fife and marched on Perth, the Scottish capital. The Scots, estimated to have been between 15,000 and 40,000 strong, raced to attack the English, disorganising their own formations. Unable to break the line of English men-at-arms, the Scots became trapped in a valley with fresh forces arriving from the rear pressing them forward and giving them no room to manoeuvre, or even to use their weapons. English longbowmen fired into both Scottish flanks. Many Scots died of suffocation or were trampled underfoot. Eventually the Scots broke and the English men-at-arms mounted and pursued the fugitives until nightfall. Perth fell, the remaining Scottish forces dispersed, and Balliol was crowned King of Scots.
