The defeat of the English chivalry at the battle of Bannockburn, (24th June, 1315,) was the most remarkable circumstance in the reign of Edward II. On the preceding day, Douglas[401] and Sir Robert Keith, marshal of Scotland, were dispatched by Robert Bruce from the main body of his army to descry whether the enemy was approaching. "And soon the great host have they seen, Where shields shining were so sheen, And basinets burnished bright, That gave against the sun great light. They saw so fele[402] brawdyne[403] baners, Standards, and pennons, and spears, And so fele[402] knights upon steeds, All flaming in their weeds. And so fele[404] bataills[405], and so broad, And too so great room as they rode That the maist host, and the stoutest Of Christendom, and the greatest Should be abaysit[406], for to see Their foes into such quantity." The Bruce, vol. ii. p. 111. The English vanguard, commanded by the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford, soon came in general sight. The appearance of Edward's army is described by Barbour in a rich chivalric style. "The sun was bright, and shined clear, And armouris that burnished were, So blomyt[407], with the sun's beam, That all the land was in a leme[408], Banners right fairly flawinand[409], And pensels to the wind wawand."[410] Barbour, xi. 188-193. Bruce was riding on a palfrey and marshalling his men, when Sir Henry de Bohun started from the opposite host, and careered his horse against him. Sir Henry was a fierce rather than a gallant knight, or he would not have pressed his war-steed upon a foe who was riding on a palfrey.[411] But his want of chivalric gallantry was justly punished.