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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Falkirk
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(37,000 in 1991) Industrial town in the Central region of Scotland. Its position at the northern end of the shortest line between the firths of Clyde and Forth gave it strategic importance from Roman times (the *Antonine Wall passes through it), and it has been the site of two major battles between the English and the Scots.
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On 22 July 1298 *Edward I defeated the army of Sir William *Wallace in an encounter which first proved the devastating effect of the English longbow. And on 17 January 1746 Prince Charles Edward *Stuart achieved a welcome victory over the English forces in pursuit of him as he withdrew northwards towards the decisive encounter at *Culloden.
The town became Scotland's chief cattle market in the 18C, and later developed into a centre for metal industries and the casting of iron.
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