King Edward II’s army returned for another scrap with Robert the Brice on the 24th June 1314. Most medieval battles only lasted a couple of hours, so this was a big one.

The Scots notched a decisive victory and Robert The Bruce became the de facto king of Scotland.

The battle of Bannockburn is referenced in Flower Of Scotland, written in the mid 1960’s by Scottish folk band, The Corries. The song is regularly used as the Scottish national anthem.

O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see
Your like again,
That fought and died for,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.

I went to a Scotland rugby game with my dad during the 2015 World Cup. We played up our anglicised caledonian ancestry with navy tops. England had lost to Wales the night before and all the Scottish fans were vocally very happy.

We were quietly devastated.

Scotland comfortably beat USA but drew more pleasure from England’s defeat than they did their own victory. Flower of Scotland echoed around the stadium for most of the game.

Scottish crowds often add a few extra lines to their anthem. Most notably, ‘WANKERS!’, which is shouted after the words, ‘Proud Edward’s Army’. An intimidating reference to the English that’s difficult to hear when you’re watching a game on television, but disconcertingly clear when you’re sitting in the stands.

I felt amused. I felt stirred. I felt terrified.

Most of all, I felt humbled by the quality of Roy Willamson’s songwriting.