Bannockburn A.D. 1314
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About this artwork
At the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, King Robert I, often called Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), faced the army of the English King Edward II (1284-1327) over control of the strategic key point Stirling Castle, visible in the background. Thanks to clever tactics, the Scottish won the battle despite being outnumbered, and the victory helped safeguard Scotland’s independence for another three hundred years. Robert I, on horseback in the left half of the image, is decked out with red lions rampant on gold. From the right, English knights are charging towards an impenetrable wall of spears at the centre of the composition. This is one of the two largest scenes from Scottish history adorning the walls on the first floor of the Great Hall in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Updated 2021
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artist:William Brassey Hole (1846 - 1917) English
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title:Bannockburn A.D. 1314
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date created:1900
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materials:variant of spirit fresco on canvas adhered to wall
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object type:
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accession number:UPG.033
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gallery:
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subject:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
William Brassey Hole
William Brassey Hole
Edinburgh-based artist William Hole specialised in history painting and etching. Around 1895 he volunteered to decorate the chancel of St James’ Church on Inverleith Row with large-scale murals. In 1897 the still unfinished work came to the attention of John Ritchie Findlay, owner of The Scotsman...