Friday, January 20, 2012

Anyone know some facts about historic Scottish battles....?

Depends on the era. Early battles probably had, if not a flag, some symbol around which the troops could gather. Each clan would have a sprig of a local plant so they could tell each other apart (the tartan was not common until later). The fighters would typically use a broadsword of some variety, which by about 1500, developed into the claymore (glaive mohr in Gaelic, spellings differ) similar to the one Mel Gibson had in "Braveheart." Early on, they would wear a longish linen shirt, called a leina (or something similar). Leather armor, chainmail, and by the time of Bannockburn, 1314, full armor would have been worn by nobles, and those who could afford it. Early music would have been by a harper, although horns might well have been used. The pipes came along in the 1500's. The great kilt also showed up a bit later. Later Scots (1600's and on) would have a round shield about 2 feet across, called a targe, and the sword, by this time a basket hilt. Most also had a dirk about a foot long, and often a skane dhu (spellings differ) "black knife," in their sock or boot. The Highland charge was simple but effective. The clansmen would charge down a hill, if they had guns, they would halt and fire them, hit the enemy line knocking the enemy's guns or swords away with the targe, and slashing with teh dirk in the left hand, while employing the sword with his right. At Prestonpans in 1745, they took care of an English army in about five minutes this way. Plenty more info out there.

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