The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

LORD OF THE ISLES. 353
syth. Edward Bruce commanded the right wing,
which was strengthened by a strong body of cavalry
under Keith, the Mareschal of Scotland, to whom was
committed the important charge of attacking the English archers; Douglas, and the young Steward of Scotland, led the central wing; and Thomas Randolph,
Earl of Moray, the left wing. The King himself commanded the fourth division, which lay in reserve
behind the others. The royal standard was pitched,
according to tradition, in a stone, having a round hole
for its reception, and thence called the Bore-stone. It
is still shown on the top of a small eminence, called
Brock's-brae, to the southwest of St. Ninian's. His
main body thus disposed, King Robert sent the followers of the camp, fifteen thousand and upwards in
number, to the eminence in rear of his army, called,
from that circumstance, the Gillies' (i. e. the servants')
Hill.
The military advantages of this position were obvious. The Scottish left flank, protected by the brook
of Bannock, could not be turned; or, if that attempt
were made, a movement by the reserve might have
covered it. Again, the English could not pass the
Scottish army, and move towards Stirling, without
exposing their flank to be attacked while in march.
If, on the other hand, the Scottish line had been
drawn up east and west, and facing to the southward,
as affirmed by Buchanan, and adopted by Mr. Nimmo,
the author of the History of Stirlingshire, there appears nothing to have prevented the English approaching upon the carse, or level ground, from Falkirk,
either from turning the Scottish left flank, or from
passing their position, if they preferred it, without
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