Editing Battle of Bannockburn (section)

===Second day of battle===
[[File:Mapbannockburn1.2.svg|thumb|right|300px|An interpretation of the battle of Bannockburn – second day]]
During the night, the English forces crossed the stream known as the Bannockburn, establishing their position on the plain beyond it.<ref name="Black"/> A Scottish knight, [[Alexander Seton (Governor of Berwick)|Alexander Seton]], who was fighting in the service of Edward II of England, deserted the English camp and told Bruce that English morale was low and encouraged him to attack.<ref name="Black"/>

In the morning, the Scots advanced from New Park.<ref name="Black"/> Not long after daybreak, Edward was surprised to see the Scottish pikemen emerge from the cover of the woods and advance towards his position. As Bruce's army drew nearer, they paused and knelt in prayer. Edward reportedly said in surprise, "They pray for mercy!" "For mercy, yes," one of his attendants replied, "but from God, not you. These men will conquer or die."<ref name="Scott158">{{harvnb|Scott|1982|p=158}}</ref>

The Earl of Gloucester had argued with the Earl of Hereford over who should lead the vanguard into battle. He had also tried to persuade the king that the battle should be postponed. This led the king to accuse him of cowardice. Goaded by the accusation, Gloucester advanced to meet the Scots.<ref name="Black"/> Few accompanied Gloucester and, when he reached the Scottish lines, he was quickly surrounded and killed.<ref name="Black"/>

The English were gradually pushed back and ground down by the Scots' [[schiltron]]s.<ref name="Black"/> The English longbowmen attempted to support the advance of the knights, but were ordered to stop shooting to avoid additional [[friendly fire]]. The English then attempted to deploy their English and Welsh longbowmen to flank the advancing Scots, but they were dispersed by 500 Scottish cavalry under the [[Earl Marischal|marischal]] [[Robert II Keith, Marischal of Scotland|Sir Robert Keith]].<ref name="Scott">{{harvnb|Scott|1982}}</ref> (Although the Scottish cavalry is sometimes described as light cavalry, this appears to be a misinterpretation of Barbour's statement that these were men-at-arms on lighter horses than those of their English counterparts.<ref>Brown, C. (2008) pp. 129–130</ref>)

The English cavalry was hemmed in against the Bannockburn, making it difficult for them to manoeuvre.<ref name="Black"/> Unable to hold their formations, they broke rank.<ref name="Black"/> It soon became clear to [[Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Aymer de Valence]] and [[Giles d'Argentan]] (reputedly the third-best knight in Europe) that the English had lost the battle and Edward II needed at all costs to be led to safety. Seizing the reins of the king's horse, they dragged him away, closely followed by 500 knights of the royal bodyguard.<ref name="Scott159">{{harvnb|Scott|1982|p=159}}</ref>

Once they were clear of the battle, d'Argentan turned to the king and said: "''Sire, your protection was committed to me, but since you are safely on your way, I will bid you farewell for never yet have I fled from a battle, nor will I now.''" He turned his horse to charge back into the ranks of Scottish, where he was overborne and slain.<ref name="Scott160">{{harvnb|Scott|1982|p=160}}</ref>