Battle of Culblean facts for kids
The Battle of Culblean was an important fight that happened on November 30, 1335. It was part of the Second War of Scottish Independence. The Scottish army, led by their brave leader, Sir Andrew Murray, won a big victory. They defeated a combined English and Scottish force. This enemy army was commanded by David III Strathbogie, who was a strong supporter of Edward Balliol.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Culblean |
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| Part of Second War of Scottish Independence | |||||||
 Monument marking the site of the Battle of Culblean |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Bruce loyalists | Balliol supporters English allies |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Sir Andrew Murray |
David, Earl of Atholl † | ||||||
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
The Wars of Scottish Independence were not just about Scotland fighting England. They were also a kind of civil war within Scotland. This was because some Scottish nobles supported the English king or Edward Balliol. Edward Balliol was the son of a former Scottish king, John Balliol.
After a violent disagreement between John III Comyn and Robert Bruce in 1306, the fight for Scottish independence also became a civil war. Some Scottish families, like the Comyns and Balliols, sided with England.
In 1314, after King Robert Bruce won the Battle of Bannockburn, the Scottish Parliament made a rule. It said that any Scottish noble who still fought for England would lose their lands in Scotland. These nobles became known as the Disinherited. They were loyal to the Balliol family and wanted their lands back.
In 1328, England and Scotland signed the Treaty of Northampton. This treaty recognized Robert Bruce as the rightful King of Scotland. This meant the Disinherited nobles couldn't get their lands back right away.
However, King Robert Bruce died in 1329. His young son, David II, became king. This gave the Disinherited a new chance. Led by Henry de Beaumont, they decided to support Edward Balliol. They believed he should be the true King of Scotland.
In 1332, Beaumont and Balliol launched an invasion of Scotland by sea. They won a battle at Battle of Dupplin Moor. But they didn't have much support in Scotland. So, they were forced out by the end of the year.
Then, Edward III, the young English king, openly supported Balliol. In 1333, the Scots were defeated again at the Battle of Halidon Hill. Edward Balliol was put back on the Scottish throne. But he still didn't have full control.
In 1335, King Edward III brought a large army to Scotland. He tried hard to help Balliol. But he couldn't force the Scots into a big battle. So, he left the Disinherited to manage on their own.
Sir Andrew Murray Becomes a Leader
Even though things looked bad, Scottish resistance never completely stopped. Young King David II was sent to safety in France in 1334.
In September 1335, Sir Andrew Murray of Bothwell was chosen as the Guardian of Scotland. This was done by the remaining Scottish loyalists meeting at Dumbarton Castle. Sir Andrew Murray was a very skilled leader. He learned to use clever tactics like guerrilla warfare, similar to what King Robert Bruce used.
Murray always defended Scotland's freedom. He never gave in to Edward III or Balliol. Other important Scottish leaders joined him. These included the earls of March and Ross, Sir William Douglas, and William Keith.
After the English king and Edward Balliol left Scotland, Murray's main enemy was David de Strathbogie. Strathbogie claimed the title of Earl of Atholl. He was Balliol's main supporter in northern Scotland.
The Battle on St. Andrew's Day, 1335
In late 1335, Strathbogie was active north of the River Forth. He was trying to get rid of all the local landowners who supported Scottish independence. These landowners had been very important to the Scottish resistance for a long time.
A Scottish writer named John of Fordun described Strathbogie's actions. He said Strathbogie was very cruel. He took away people's lands and even killed some. He wanted to remove all the independent landowners from the area.
Strathbogie then started to attack Kildrummy Castle in Aberdeenshire. This castle was held for King David by his aunt, Lady Christina Bruce. She was also Sir Andrew Murray's wife.
When Murray heard about the siege, he quickly marched north from southern Scotland. He had gathered a small army of about 800 men. Historians say Strathbogie had about 3,000 men. Murray's plan was risky. He was marching into an open battle, which Scottish leaders had avoided since the defeat at Halidon Hill. But Kildrummy Castle was very important. If it fell, it would be a big loss for Scotland in the north.
Strathbogie was warned that Murray was coming. He stopped his attack on Kildrummy. Then he moved south to meet Murray in the forest of Culblean.
Murray's force was joined by 300 men from Kildrummy. They were led by a local man named John of the Craig. John knew the area very well. On the night of November 29/30, he guided Murray's army. They made a wide, sweeping move to the south and west. This was designed to attack Strathbogie from behind.
As Murray's army approached at dawn on St. Andrew's Day, enemy scouts spotted them. The surprise was lost. Strathbogie's camp was warned, and he prepared for battle. But his soldiers were mostly local people who had been forced to join. He also didn't seem to have any archers.
Murray's army was split into two groups. The front group was led by William Douglas. When Douglas saw Strathbogie's army ready for battle, he stopped. He acted as if he was unsure. This made Strathbogie think Douglas was hesitating. So, Strathbogie ordered his men to charge downhill.
But as Strathbogie's men reached a small stream, their lines broke apart. Douglas immediately ordered his men to charge forward. At the same time, Sir Andrew Murray, with the second group, attacked the enemy's side. The attack was so strong that it flattened the bushes in their path.
Strathbogie's army was trapped. They were attacked from the front and the side. His army broke and ran. Strathbogie himself refused to surrender. He stood with his back against an oak tree and fought to the end. He was killed along with a small group of his followers. Some survivors hid in a nearby castle on Loch Kinord island. But they had to surrender the next day.
Culblean's Place in History
Compared to other battles in the Wars of Independence, Culblean was a smaller fight. It is not as well-known today.
However, its importance was much bigger than its size. It was a major turning point for Scotland's recovery. As historian W. Douglas Simpson wrote, "Culblean was the turning point in the second war of Scottish Independence, and therefore an event of great national importance."
Even though it was a small battle, it effectively cancelled out the effects of Edward III's invasion that summer. It ended Edward Balliol's hopes of becoming the King of Scotland forever. The effects were felt almost immediately. Edward Balliol had to spend the winter of 1335–36 in England. He had no safe castle or town in Scotland where he could stay.
Images for kids
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Culblean memorial stone
