| Notes |
- The Stewarts of Appin are a West Highland clan descended from Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl, the son of Alexander, High Steward of Scotland. Sir John's younger son, Sir James fought at Bannockburn and was eventually killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. (This information was taken Scottish Clans and Families, Electric Scottish Conferencing System.)
"Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl fought under William Wallace for the freedom of
Scotland and took part in the Battle of Sterling in 1297 when the English army was defeated.
Commanded the men of Bute at the Battle of Falkirk.
He bore the brunt of the overwhelming assault of the English army on the field of Falkirk where he was killed and buried. A gravestone still exists bearing this inscription. "Here lies a Scottish hero, Sir John Stewart, who was killed at the Battle of Falkirk, 22nd July 1298."
(Source - New York Public Library, Loose Leaf Files, The Stewarts.)
The English force had over three thousand cavalry and a considerable number of archers. Waiting at Falkirk, William Wallace had gathered only half as many men, mostly armed with spears, backed by a modest cavalry made up predominantly of a number of nobles, led by Sir John Comyn, known as the 'Black Comyn'. When the combat began of 22 July 1298, the Scots used their schiltron formations of spear men in variable squares. Under the ferocity of arrows, then cavalry, the patriots were soon annihilated. The self-interested noble men on horseback would not come into the combat to support Wallace and their men and instead left the area. (Source - SDI Clans and Tartans, 1996)
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