On August 10, 1332, a Scottish army loyal to Edward Balliol, supported by English 'disinherited' nobles, defeated the forces of David II (the son of Robert the Bruce) at the Battle of Dupplin Moor. This victory allowed Balliol to briefly claim the Scottish throne, reigniting the Second War of Scottish Independence. The battle was notable for the effective use of archers and the devastating impact on the Scottish nobility.

The Battle of Dupplin Moor was a subject of chronicle poetry and political verse, reflecting the volatile state of Anglo-Scottish relations. It appeared in English and Scottish ballads that debated the legitimacy of Balliol and Bruce claims to the throne. The event fueled a tradition of patriotic Scottish poetry that lamented the loss of independence and sought to rally resistance, shaping the national literary identity.