![]() ![]() Likewise, Reid dedicates a page determining whether there were three or four schiltrons at Bannockburn (30-31). For example, analysis of figures can at times be extremely academic, dedicating nearly an entire page debating the troop numbers at Falkirk (23). Thus, the book excels as an incomplete battlefield tour guide to the region, but it also suffers as an unbalanced historical analysis of the battles. 156-157) to find and trek the battlefields with some useful knowledge. Still, the book provides enough photos, maps, and directions (pp. 20) and it “would have covered their retreat from the oustset” (p. Although his analysis is far from consistent, as the Callendar Wood at Falkirk (1298) provided “no real line of retreat” (p. It is also clear that Reid has visited the sites and his analysis of terrain of Pinkie is exceptional (p. Most useful are Reid’s photos of terrain with superimposed lines and text to depict troop positions and movements (pp. All of the battles, except for Falkirk include a map. Still, the book is image intensive with more than 90 maps, flags photos, drawing, and paintings spread throughout the text, ensure there are rarely two pages without an image. Those familiar with Scottish warfare will recognize some other battles from the region excluded such as Dunbar (1296). It is difficult to determine the goal of the book (and thus to review it) as there is no overarching thesis. The third chapter focuses on “Jacobite Battles,” with analysis of Sheriffmuir (1715), Prestonpans (1745), and Falkirk (1746). The second chapter focuses on “Civil War Battles,” with analysis of Kilsyth (1645), Dunbar (1650), and Inverkeithing (1651). The format of each battle description involves an overview of the preceding events and campaign, a discussion on the numbers, and eventually the battle. ![]() As such, he uses the term just as loosely, referring to schiltrons at Stirling Bridge (1297), Falkirk (1298), Bannockburn (1314), and Pinkie (1547). However, Reid does not use the term to refer to a formation, as many historians-medieval and modern-have done, but he instead uses them to refer to a group of spearmen, arguing that “contemporary writers in fact us the term indiscriminately to describe any formation of infantry drawn up in close order” (p. ![]() The first chapter focuses on “Medieval Battles” and brings schiltrons into focus. Each chapter has the same format with several pages dedicated to the tactics of the day, followed by three sections on three different battles. Reid divides his work into three chapters, each grouping battles into period-medieval, Civil War, and Jacobite Rebellion. Still, the work is not without its issues, as it lacks a cohesive thesis, suffers from over analysis minute topics such as troop numbers, and lacks detailed analysis where necessary for some of the unique conclusions. Finding detailed treatments of these battles is not difficult, but finding a consolidated work focusing on this region is impossible, and this is Reid’s real achievement with Battles of the Scottish Lowlands. ![]() However, this is not the strength of the book. The focus and selection of events is purely geographical and the Reid freely admits that readers may immediately criticize the lack of some significant Scotland battlefields (e.g., Culloden), but he believes this allows him to deal with each “properly” and “provide greater detail than has been possible before” (p. In Battles of the Scottish Lowlands, Stuart Reid offers a sweeping survey of battles and campaigns occurring around Stirling over a period of nearly 450 years (1297-1746). Stuart Reid Battles of the Scottish Lowlands Battlefield Britain series ( Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2004). ![]()
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