<P> The Battle of Bannockburn (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Allt nam Bànag or Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Allt a' Bhonnaich) 24 June 1314 was a significant Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence, and a landmark in Scottish history . </P> <P> Stirling Castle, a Scots royal fortress, occupied by the English, was under siege by the Scottish army . The English king, Edward II, assembled a formidable force to relieve it . This attempt failed, and his army was defeated in a pitched battle by a smaller army commanded by the King of Scots, Robert the Bruce . </P> <P> The Wars of Scottish Independence between England and Scotland began in 1296 and initially the English were successful under the command of Edward I, having won victories at the Battle of Dunbar (1296) and at the Capture of Berwick (1296). The removal of John Balliol from the Scottish throne also contributed to the English success . The Scots had been victorious in defeating the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 . This was countered, however, by Edward I's victory at the Battle of Falkirk (1298). By 1304 Scotland had been conquered, but in 1306 Robert the Bruce seized the Scottish throne and the war was reopened . </P> <P> Edward II of England came to the throne in 1307 but was incapable of providing the determined leadership that had been shown by his father, Edward I, and the English position soon became more difficult . Stirling Castle was one of the most important castles that was held by the English as it commanded the route north into the Scottish Highlands . It was besieged in 1314 by Robert the Bruce's brother, Edward Bruce, and an agreement was made that if the castle was not relieved by mid-summer then it would be surrendered to the Scots . The English could not ignore this challenge and military preparations were made for a substantial campaign in which the English army probably numbered 2,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry, many of whom would have been longbowmen . The Scottish army probably numbered between 7,000 and 10,000 men, of whom no more than 500 would have been mounted . Unlike the heavily armoured English cavalry, the Scottish cavalry would have been light horsemen who were good for skirmishing and reconnaissance but were not suitable for charging the enemy lines . The Scottish infantry would have had axes, swords and pikes, with few bowmen among them . </P>

Who fought in the battle of bannockburn who won and who was defeated
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