Halidon Hill, Battle of

1333. Edward III’s battle against David Bruce, where his forces, outnumbered, dismounted and held the top of the hill, flanked by archers hidden in bramble and marsh. As the Scots, following their French advisors and experience, charged up the hill, they were destroyed both by the archers and the dismounted English infantry . In this single battle, Edward was able to destroy the bulk of the Scots army and secure for himself both his northern border an the title ‘king of Scotland’, which enabled him to turn his attention to France. It is often called the first battle in the Hundred Years War . The tactics he tried and used with great success at Halidon hill he and his son the Black Prince used again and again with success at Crècy and Poitiers ; Henry V used them yet again at Agincourt .