Schiltron

A schiltron or schiltrom is a group of men carrying pikes and polearms. It is generally believed to be a circular formation, although in fact the term does not denote any particular shape or alignment. There are only two recorded Scottish instances of circular schiltrons: William Wallace's army at Falkirk and Thomas Randolph's forces on the first day of Bannockburn; as opposed to numerous accounts of rectangular/linear schiltrons - Glentrool, the main battle at Bannockburn, Myton, Dupplin Muir, Culblean, Halidon Hill, Neville's Cross and Otterburn.

Contary to popular belief, it was not the defensive use of schiltrons that proved decisive at the Battle of Bannockburn; instead, Robert the Bruce took the time to drill his troops in the offensive use of the pike (an effort that requires great discipline) and engage the English host on unfavourable ground. This was similar to the pike charges that brought victory at the Stirling Bridge. In fact, the traditional use of the schiltron resulted in a crushing defeat for the Scots at Falkirk (1298).

A schiltron formation defending against charging cavalry, as portrayed in the ' computer game, copyright 2004 Creative Assembly and Activision

Tactically they are the forbearers of the Napoleonic age infantry squares in which infantry regiments, many of them Scottish, fought at the Battle of Waterloo when attacked by Ney's French cavalry.

The word "schiltron" dates from at least 1000 AD and derives from Old English roots expressing the idea of a "shield-troop". Some researchers have also posited that this etymological relation may show that the schiltron is directly descended from the Anglo-Saxon shield wall.

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