A schiltron or schiltrom is a group of men carrying pikes and polearms. It is generally believed to be a circular formation, although in fact the term does not denote any particular shape or alignment. There are only two recorded Scottish instances of circular schiltrons (Wallace's army at Falkirk and Thomas Randolph's forces on the first day of Bannockburn) as opposed to numerous accountss of rectangular/linear schiltrons - Glentrool, the main battle at Bannockburn, Myton, Dupplin Muir, Culblean, Halidon Hill, Nevile's Cross and Otterburn.

Contary to popular belief, it was not the defensive use of schiltrons that proved decisive at the Battle of Bannockburn; instead, Robert the Bruce took the time to drill his troops in the offensive use of the pike (an effort that requires great discipline) and engage the English host on unfavourable ground. This was similar to the pike charges that brought victory at the Stirling Bridge. In fact, the traditional use of the schiltron gave the Scots a couple of crushing defeats at Falkirk (1298). Combatants Scotland England Commanders Robert Bruce Edward II of England Strength About 9,000 25,000 Casualties 4,000 10,000 The Battle of Bannockburn (June 23, 1314 – June 24, 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Robert I, King of Scots, usually known as Robert the Bruce (July 11, 1274 – June 7, 1329, reigned 1306 – 1329), was, according to a modern biographer (Geoffrey Barrow), a great hero who lived in a minor country. ... The Battle of Stirling Bridge was one of the series of conflicts of the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Combatants Scotland England Commanders William Wallace Edward I of England Strength 500 cavalry, 9,500 infantry 2,250 cavalry, 12,900 infantry(there was much desertion amongst the Welsh troops, who made up a substantial part of Edwards infantry so this number might have been lower). ...

Tactically they are the forbearers of the Napoleonic age infantry squares in which infantry regiments, many of them Scottish, fought at the Battle of Waterloo when attacked by Ney's French cavalry. ... An infantry square is a battle tactic of infantry when faced with cavalry. ... Combatants France Anglo-Allied/Prussian/ Dutch Commanders Napoléon Bonaparte Duke of Wellington Gebhard von Blücher Strength 72,000 67,000 Anglo-Dutch 60,000 Prussian (48,000 engaged by about 18:00) Casualties 25,000 22,000 Map of the Waterloo campaign The Battle of Waterloo, fought on... Michel Ney, Marshal of France Michel Ney (January 10, 1769 – December 7, 1815) called Le Rougeaud (the ruddy) and le Brave des Braves (the bravest of the brave) was a marshal of the French army who fought in the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. ...

The word "schiltron" dates from at least 1000 AD and derives from Old English roots expressing the idea of a "shield-troop". Some researchers have also posited that this etymological relation may show that the schiltron is directly descended from the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ... The formation of Shield walls is a military tactic common to many cultures. ...