The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a critical moment during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The conflict arose in response to the English occupation of Scotland, which had intensified during the 13th century, especially after the ascension of King Edward I of England. The Scots, led by the charismatic William Wallace and the valiant Andrew Moray, rallied against this oppression in a bid to reclaim their autonomy. The tactical choice of location became a decisive factor; the narrowness of Stirling Bridge allowed the smaller Scottish forces to effectively counter the numerically superior English troops. Through traps and ambush strategies, the Scots faced the English in a manner that rendered their larger numbers ineffective.The battle began in the early morning, and as the English forces, commanded by John de Warenne, began to cross the bridge, Wallace and Moray executed their plan. By forcing the English to engage in a disorganized manner on the congested bridge, they suffered heavy casualties as the Scots attacked with agility and speed. This crucial engagement not only secured a great victory for the Scots but also galvanized Scottish nationalism. The morale boost from the triumph at Stirling Bridge invigorated the Scottish resistance movement and established Wallace as a national hero.