William Wallace

1272–1305

wallace
"HOLD YOU, BRAVE WALLACE! THE ENGLISH HAVE HANGED ALL YOUR BEST MEN LIKE DOGS."
William Wallace is one of the most popular and famous heroes of Scotland. He was a commoner rather than a noble, and so little is known of his early life other than that which was recorded by "Blind Harry", a Scottish Minstrel who lived over 100 years after Wallace. However, it is thought that Wallace became an outlaw by killing several English soldiers after an incident involving fish. This occurred shortly after the death of the last Scottish king, during a period when Edward I was actively trying to bring Scotland under his control. Wallace evidently became the leader of a band of outlaws in the Scottish hills, and became notorious for his largely successful attacks on English holdings in Scotland. Meanwhile Edward sought to test the Scottish Barons loyalty by making more demands on them, including a request that they desert their long time French allies. As Edward's oppressions and heavy-handedness worsened, more disgruntled Scots, including several noblemen, joined his rebellion.

In the early years of Wallace's career, he was merely considered an outlaw, but after his rebellious activities gained the support of the nobles, including Sir Andrew Moray, and Sir William Douglas, as well as many others, the English sent an army against them. In spite of the defections of several of his nobles, Wallace led the Scots to a great victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. This great victory gave Wallace the full attention of Edward I, and gained him even more supporters among the Scottish commoners. The nobles, however, wavered and when Edward I himself led an army into Scotland, most of his barons deserted him, or actually fought on Edward's side. The Scots therefore lost the Battle of Falkirk, and fell under the complete control of the English. Wallace himself escaped, and lived for several more years in the highlands before being captured, tortured, and killed as a traitor.


Key events during the life of William Wallace:


Year
Event
1270
Birth of William Wallace
1286
Death of Alexander III, last Scottish king.
1290
Death of "Maid of Norway", last heir to the Scottish throne.
1291
Wallace kills several English soldiers after a confrontation.
1296
British invade Scotland, defeat Balliol at the Battle of Dunbar,
1297
Scottish barons executed at the Barns of Ayer.
1297
Defeat of English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge
1298
Wallace loses Battle of Falkirk
1305
Wallace captured, drawn and quartered.

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
Sir William Wallace  in  Cambridge Historical Reader—Primary  by  Cambridge Press
Adventures of Sir William Wallace  in  Scotland's Story  by  Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall
Wallace, the Hero of Scotland  in  Historical Tales: English  by  Charles Morris


Image Links


The Wallace monument, Abbey Craig, Stirling
 in Cambridge Historical Reader—Primary

Trial of Sir William Wallace
 in  The Story of the English

Hold you, hold you, brave Wallace! The English have hanged all your best men like dogs.'
 in Scotland's Story


Contemporary
Short Biography
Edward I Competent and decisive king of England. Reformed government, pacified Wales and Scotland. Ruled 35 years.
Robert the Bruce Scottish nobleman who claimed the crown and led resistance to England at Bannockburn.
John Balliol Appointed King of Scotland by Edward I on the condition that he surrender Scotland's independence.
Alexander III of Scotland Last Scottish King descended directly from Malcolmn Canmore.
Blind Harry Minstrel who related the Life of William Wallace.
Sir Andrew Moray Only Scottish noble who did not desert Wallace.
Sir William Douglas Scottish noble who supported Wallace. Father of James 'The Black' Douglas.