The Day Scotland Won Its Freedom: The Battle of Bannockburn On June 23-24, 1314, the course of Scottish history was forever changed on the fields of Bannockburn, near Stirling Castle. The Scottish army, led by their brilliant warrior-king, Robert the Bruce, faced a vastly superior English force commanded by King Edward II. The English, confident in their heavy cavalry, expected an easy victory. Bruce, however, had prepared a masterful defense. He chose his ground carefully, deploying his infantr