[MR] Wikipedia: Death of de Bohan at Bannockburn

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this day in 1314, the first day of the Battle of Bannockburn was fought
between the Scots under Robert the Bruce and an English invasion force
commanded by King Edward II. The most memorable event that day was the
death of Sir Henry de Bohun.

De Bohun was at the head of a unit of English cavalry. He spotted the
lightly-armed Bruce riding a palfrey while inspecting the field beyond the
Scottish battle lines. Perhaps seeking fame and glory by offing The Bruce,
de Bohun lowered his lance and charged the Scottish king. The Bruce dodged
de Bohun's lance, and standing up in the stirrups with his battle axe clove
the English knight's helm and skull. De Bohun found both fame and glory,
but not the sort he was expecting.

Bruce received a lot of flack from his captains for risking his life.
Bruce's answer was that he had shattered the shaft of his favorite axe
(some sources say his second favorite axe).

De Bohun's death was a bad start to what would be a disastrous defeat for
the English.

The story of the encounter is found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_de_Bohun .

More about the Battle of Bannockburn is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bannockburn .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆