The leaders of the opposition were present in Edward’s host.  On the eve of the invasion, the impatient king was kept back by the declaration of Hereford and Norfolk that they would not cross the frontier, until definite assurances were given that the king would carry out the confirmation of the charters which he had informally ratified on foreign soil.  Etiquette or pride prevented Edward himself satisfying their demand, but the Bishop of Durham and three loyal earls pledged themselves that the king would fulfil all his promises on his return.  Then the two earls suffered the expedition to proceed; and on July 6 the army left Roxburgh, proceeding by moderate marches to Kirkliston on the Almond, where it encamped on the 15th.  Here there was a few days’ delay, while Bishop Bek captured some of the East Lothian castles which were threatening the English rear.  Already there was a difficulty in obtaining supplies from the devastated country-side, and northerly winds prevented the provision ships from sailing from Berwick to the Forth.  The worst hardships fell upon the Welsh infantry, who began to mutiny and talked of joining the Scots.  Matters grew worse on the arrival of a wine ship, for such ample rations of wine were distributed to the Welsh that very many of them became drunk.  So threatening was the state of affairs that Edward thought of retreating to Edinburgh.  On July 21, however, the news was brought that Wallace and his followers were assembled in great force at Falkirk, some seventeen miles to the west.  The prospect of battle at once restored the courage and discipline of the army, and Edward ordered an advance.  That night the host bivouacked on the moors east of Linlithgow, “with shields for pillows and armour for beds”.  During the night the king, who was sleeping in the open field like the meanest trooper, received a kick from his horse which broke two of his ribs.  Yet the early morning of July 22, the feast of St. Mary Magdalen, saw him riding at the head of his troops through the streets of Linlithgow.  At last the Scots lances were descried on the slopes of a hill near Falkirk, and the English rested while the bishop and king heard mass.  Then the army, which had eaten nothing since the preceding day, advanced to the battle.

Wallace had a large following of infantry, but a mere handful of mounted men-at-arms.  He ordered the latter to occupy the rear, and grouped his pikemen, the flower of his army, into four great circles, or “schiltrons,” which, with the front ranks kneeling or sitting and the rear ranks standing, presented to the enemy four living castles, each with a bristling hedge of pikes, dense enough, it was hoped, to break the fierce shock of a cavalry charge.  The spaces between the four schiltrons were occupied by the archers, the best of whom came from Ettrick Forest.  The front was further protected by a morass, and perhaps also by a row of stout posts sunk into the ground and fastened together by ropes.