The story of William Wallace
Little is known about the real William Wallace. His father was thought to be named Malcolm Wallace, but William Wallace’s personal seal bears the name Alan. Wallace more than likely had prior military experience, his personal seal suggesting that he may have been an archer.
The first act known to be committed by Wallace in the Wars of Independence was in May 1297 when Wallace assassinated William Heselrig, the Sheriff of Lanark. He continued to rebel, carrying out a series of raids across the lowlands and borders area. Many men flocked to his cause. Wallace would eventually join forces with other rebels such as Andrew de Moray.
c1270
William Wallace
Most historians believe that William Wallace was born around 1270. Traditionally he was believed to have been born in Elderslie in Renfrewshire, though a different claim of Ellerslie in Ayrshire has emerged in recent years.
1286
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III became King of Scots in 1249. Tragedy struck in 1286 when Alexander was found dead after falling from his horse down a steep rocky embankment. With no surviving children, the Scots now had to look to other parts of Alexander’s family tree.
1290
Margaret Maid of Norway
Alexander III had one remaining living heir. His granddaughter Margaret was invited to claim the Scottish throne. Sadly, the young Queen fell ill at sea and died in Orkney. Without a monarch, a group of regents assembled to conduct the business of the realm. These men were the Guardians of Scotland.
1292
John Balliol
In the aftermath of Margaret’s death, the Guardians of Scotland asked Edward I of England to help choose who should be King of Scots. At first Edward refused, demanding that he be recognised as Scotland’s overlord. Eventually, the Guardians had to agree to Edward’s terms and Edward chose John Balliol.
1296
The Battle of Dunbar
In retaliation to John Balliol forming an alliance with France, Edward I of England invaded Scotland. Balliol was defeated at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296 and forced to give up his throne. Scotland was now under English rule.
1296
The Morays
Although many Scottish nobles accepted Edward I’s demands, others still refused. One such family were the Morays. The Morays were a powerful and influential family who owned land and castles in the north-east of Scotland.
1296
Andrew de Moray
After the Battle of Dunbar, Sir Andrew and his son, also Andrew, were captured. Sir Andrew was taken to the Tower of London, but the younger Andrew de Moray was instead placed in Chester Castle. He escaped from Chester in the winter of 1296-97.
1297
Sheriff of Lanark
William Wallace’s rebellious activity is first mentioned in the earlier half of 1297. In May he killed the hated Sheriff of Lanark (William de Heselrig) and began a series of raids across the lowlands and borders.
1297
Wallace and Moray
Now back in the north of Scotland Andrew de Moray took control of his father’s lands and supporters. He continued to revolt, still refusing any calls to submit to Edward’s rule. Eventually Wallace and Moray would meet and join forces.
1297
John de Warrene
Around the same time Edward I instructed English nobleman John de Warrene to lead an army into Scotland and crush the rebel threat. Edward remained in London. Neither Wallace nor Moray wished to seize the Scottish crown. They knew that the rightful King of Scots had been forced from his throne and continued to fight in the name of King John Balliol.
1297
Stirling
The Scottish rebels now controlled much of the north of Scotland and arrived at Stirling by early September. At this time Stirling provided the only safe crossing point from south to north. It was known as the Gateway to the Highlands. Wallace and Moray knew the English army would need to cross the River Forth at Stirling in order to take back the north.
1297
Stirling Castle
In 1297 Stirling Castle was in the hands of the English. The castle was used as a base by John de Warrene. We do not know the exact number of men in either the English or Scottish armies, but it is assumed the English had more. They were also more experienced in battle. It is for this reason that Warrene perhaps considered it was worth taking the risk in crossing the bridge.
1297
The Abbey Craig
Wallace and Moray had far better knowledge of the surrounding landscape. They used this to their advantage. From their viewpoint on the Abbey Craig – the rock on which The National Wallace Monument now stands, the two men watched the movements of their enemy closely.
1297
The Battle of Stirling Bridge
On the 11th September 1297, the Scots army waited on the north side of the River Forth until more than half the English army had made it across the narrow bridge before springing their trap. The Scots surrounded the English, leaving them immobile in the loop of the river, and blocked the north end of the bridge, cutting off any hope of escape. The English soldiers who had crossed the river were trapped and slaughtered. Those who remained on the south banks retreated to Berwick. Against all odds, the Scots had won.
Read more about The Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Read more about The Battle of Stirling Bridge.
1297
Hugh de Cressingham
A high-profile loss among the English was treasurer Hugh de Cressingham. Cressingham wasn’t well liked by either side and his treatment by the Scots certainly suggests this. Legend tells that after the hated treasurer was killed, Wallace made a sword belt from a strip of Cressingham’s skin, running from head to heel.
1297
Aftermath of battle
The Scottish victory would come at a cost. Andrew de Moray was mortally injured and died of his wounds two months after the battle. The Scottish cause had lost one of its champions, and William Wallace had lost an important friend.
1297
Guardian of Scotland
Despite losing Moray, William Wallace’s life, and career immediately after Stirling Bridge was largely positive. He was knighted and invited to become Guardian of Scotland.
1297
Lübeck Letter
Wallace even wrote letters to other European countries asking for friendship and trade. One letter, the Lübeck Letter, survives to this day. It bears the names of both William Wallace and Andrew de Moray.
1298
Edward I of England
The fortunes of William Wallace would quickly reverse in the summer after his most famous victory. Edward I was angry that his army lost to Wallace and Moray at Stirling Bridge. He therefore decided to lead the next invasion of Scotland personally.
1298
The Battle of Falkirk
The two sides would meet again at Falkirk in July 1298. This time the English forces were too much for Wallace’s men. During the battle Wallace lost another close friend and loyal knight as John de Graeme was killed. Wallace survived but his army was crushed.
1304
Wallace spends time in Europe
After Falkirk Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland and left the country. He would spend some time in Europe but eventually returned to Scotland in c1304.
1305
Wallace’s Capture
Wallace was a wanted man for the rest of his life. Edward I was willing to forgive other rebels, but not William Wallace. On 5 August 1305 Wallace was finally captured near Glasgow. He had been betrayed by a Scottish nobleman named John Menteith.
1305
Wallace’s Execution
On 23rd August 1305 Wallace was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death in London. Wallace was killed using one of the most brutal punishments in the medieval era: he was to be hung, drawn, and quartered.
1305
A warning to others
To warn others away from rebellion, Wallace’s head was dipped in tar and placed on a pike on London Bridge. His four limbs were sent to be displayed in Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling, and Perth. Wallace’s death was painful and cruel but this was not the end of his dream. In the years that followed others would rise up to free Scotland.
1306
Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce continued to drive for the independence of Scotland. He was crowned King of Scots at Scone on 25th March 1306. The early years of Bruce’s reign were not easy, he was regularly challenged. But by 1314 most English-controlled castles in Scotland were back in Scottish hands. It was in that same year, that Edward II assembled a large army and marched north to prevent King Robert taking Stirling Castle.
1314
The Battle of Bannockburn
The two sides met on 23rd June 1314 when the English army attempted to march across the high ground of the Bannock Burn. A series of skirmishes broke out among the surrounding marshland with the English eventually suffering heavy losses. Just as Wallace had been victorious at Stirling Bridge, Robert the Bruce was victorious at Bannockburn.
1320
The Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 demanded Edward no longer claim lordship over the Scottish crown. Peace was officially declared between the two Kingdoms in 1328 with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. In the same year, the Pope lifted Bruce’s excommunication.
1329
Scotland’s National Hero
Robert the Bruce died in 1329 knowing he had completed the work started by William Wallace and Andrew de Moray. Scotland was free from English control, confirming its status as an independent Kingdom.
A Country Remembers
Although William Wallace died in 1305, his memory would live on for hundreds of years. By the middle of the nineteenth century you could find memorials to William Wallace in several places. The most well-known of these is Stirling’s National Wallace Monument.