Medieval Scotland · 1296-1328

Wallace, Bruce and Scottish independence

In 1296 Edward I of England invades Scotland and carries off the stone on which its kings were crowned. Students follow William Wallace and Robert the Bruce from Stirling Bridge to Bannockburn and read the Declaration of Arbroath as an early statement of a people's freedom.

Teach it live New Open on the map
Length
50 minutes
Ages
11–14
On the map
3 steps, AD 1300
Live lesson
7 rounds, 3 on the map
Worksheet
Two A4 pages, with Classroom
You need
A projector; phones for live

Live lesson · new in Classroom

Teach it live. The class answers on their phones.

Put the board on the projector. Students join with a six-digit code, no account needed, and tap the map: where was the frontier, where did the grain come from. Their pins drop in together when you reveal, and the closest student takes the round.

€19 per month: every lesson live, every worksheet, cancel anytime. Rome at its height runs live for free.

A live lesson on the projector: the class's pins on the map around Alexandria, the closest students listed beside it A student's phone: the question and a map to tap
7 rounds
3 places to find on the map, quiz questions, a class vote and a one-line answer.
About 15 minutes
Run it as the map step, or to open the discussion. You move on with the space bar.
A report
Every answer, per student and per round, to read back or print after the lesson.
1

Introduction

5 min

Read aloud

In 1296 Edward I of England invades Scotland and carries off the stone on which its kings were crowned. Students follow William Wallace and Robert the Bruce from Stirling Bridge to Bannockburn and read the Declaration of Arbroath as an early statement of a people's freedom.

By the end of the lesson, students can

  • Explain how a dispute over the Scottish crown led to war with England in 1296.
  • Locate and describe the battles of Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314).
  • Explain the meaning of the Declaration of Arbroath (1320) and how Scotland's independence was recognized in 1328.
2

Explore the map

15 min

Project the map, or let students follow on their own devices. Each step opens the map at the right year and place.

a

AD 1300

Two kingdoms

Open the map in 1300 on Britain. Find Scotland and the English lands. Where does the border run, and which areas lie closest to it?

Open this view on the map
b

AD 1314

The key to the north

Turn on Historical Events (Battles) and find Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Both lie near Stirling, where the River Forth could be crossed. Why fight over a river crossing?

Open this view on the map
c

AD 1300

The Auld Alliance

Zoom out to see Scotland, England and France together. In 1295 Scotland and France agreed to help each other against England. Why would England fear this alliance?

Open this view on the map
3

Class discussion

15 min

Pick two or three. They run from what happened to why it mattered.

  1. When the heir to the Scottish throne died in 1290, the Scots asked Edward I to judge between the claimants. Why was that risky?
  2. Edward took the Stone of Destiny from Scone to Westminster. Why would a symbol matter so much?
  3. Wallace was a leader from outside the great noble families. Why might ordinary people follow him?
  4. Robert the Bruce killed his rival John Comyn in a church before being crowned. How should we judge a hero who did that?
  5. The Declaration of Arbroath says the Scots fight not for glory or riches but for freedom. Why is it still quoted today?
4

Game round

10 min

Play Rule History as Mansa Musa, who ruled Mali in the same years Robert the Bruce ruled Scotland. Afterwards, discuss: how did rulers in very different places win the loyalty of their people?

Open Rule History
5

Worksheet

5 min

This worksheet comes with Classroom

€19 per month unlocks every worksheet, every live lesson and the class workspace. The free lesson prints without a subscription.