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William Wallace picture by Spis谩k Bence-
Top 10 Amazing Facts about Sir William Wallace
The Scottish hero Sir William Wallace, is well known for leading the Scottish First war for independence. Wallace alongside Andrew Moray overcame the English troops clinching victory for the Scottish in September 1297, at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
The Scottish victory was short-lived up to July 1298, when Wallace lost the Battle of Falkirk. Wallace later ended up in the hands of his enemies(the English) who were brutal with him causing his death on August,23,1305.
His life has been the foundation for modern literature in poetry and film. The Blind Harry’s poem of the 15th century is one that brought the life of Wallace to the public spotlight. Sparking 1995, Braveheart movie. Get to know the Scottish hero, Sir William Wallace in these 10 most fascinating truths about the martyr.
1. The childhood life of William Wallace is a mystery
William Wallace-
Wallace’s date of birth is uncertain except for speculation that the year was 1270. The place of his upbringing is argued to be Elderslie in Renfrewshire according to some historians including the William Wallace Society.
The argument is based on the Blind Harry’s poem that points to Sir Malcolm of Elderslie in Renfrewshire as the father of William Wallace. The debate rages on and what is certain is that Sir William Wallace was Scottish.
2. Who the father of William Wallace was, is uncertain
William Wallace Seal found on the Lubeck Letter by Andrew Roberts-
According to the seal found on the Lubeck letter, historians have interpreted the Latin inscription on the seal as William, son of Alan Wallace. Alan Wallace was a crown tenant in Ayrshire. This creates doubt on the Blind Harry’s poem claim of Sir Malcolm of Elderslie as William’s father.
The Lubeck letter dated 11th October 1297, was written by William Wallace and Andrew Murray. It was a call for Lubeck traders in Germany to resume business dealings with the Scottish merchants and not the English.
This was after the prevailing of the Scottish in the Battle of Stirling Bridge against the English. Although the letter was thought to be lost after World War II, it was found in Lubeck Museum. In negotiations with the Scottish, they settled to have the letter loaned to the Scotland Museum where it is displayed to this day.
3. Sir William Wallace is most famous for the defeat of the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge
The battle of Sterling Bridge photo-
The prominent Stirling Bridge battle between the Scott and English forces was the start of the Scottish quest for freedom. It took place on 11th September 1297 on the River Forth near Stirling.
The Scott troops being outnumbered by the English forces worked out a smart plan led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray. Both armies were on opposite sides of the River Forth separated by a narrow wooden bridge going across the river.
This meant either army had to cross the bridge to attack their enemy. Scott’s army lay in wait for some of the English troops to cross the bridge and they attacked. They trapped some English militants against the bends of the River. The bridge was too narrow to escape over or help the trapped soldiers giving victory to the Scottish soldiers.
The win was not easy on the Scottish as one of their leaders Andrew Moray succumbed to the injuries inflicted on him during the war. The defeat was not easy to conceal for King Edward I. He took over personal control of the army and went to find Wallace to avenge his defeat. The Scottish victory only lived about a year when they faced humiliating defeat at the Battle of Falkirk against the English.
4. The Stirling Bridge victory made Wallace and Moray Guardians of Scotland
Sir William Wallace along with Andrew Moray received the appointment as Guardians of Scotland. They were appointed by the Scott nobles following their bravery in 1297’s battle of Stirling Bridge. Wallace and Moray had led the Scotts to victory against the English.
They were named guardians following power struggles in Scotland. After the death of King Alexander III on 19th March 1286 he left power in the hands of Margaret-the king鈥檚 grandchild. The Scottish lords had set up guardians to rule on her behalf since she was young and lived in Norway.
Margaret died in Orkney on her way to Scotland in September 1290. The throne having no direct heir attracted numerous contenders- thirteen men, desired to lead Scotland. Among them was John Balliol.
Scottish nobles in November 1292, invited King Edward I as arbitrator and the ruling favoured John Balliol. Edward, I expected Balliol to be loyal to him but he turned against him in alliance with France who were King Edward I enemies. So, King Edward I in anger took over Scotland and they became subjects to the English.
When Wallace and Moray defeated Edward I at the Stirling Bridge battle, they were crowned the Guardians of Scotland. Moray was guardian for a short while as he died due to wounds he got in the Stirling struggle. Wallace was left as the only Guardian.
5. William Wallace made a baldric using his enemy’s skin
The victory of Stirling Bridge marked the death of Hugh de Cressingham. He was commander of the English army. Wallace stripped his skin to make a baldric- a sword belt.
6. The Victory of Sir William Wallace lived for one year
On July 22, 1298, King Edward I of England was on a revenge mission. He led his troops to Scotland. Wallace knew the Scottish soldiers were outnumbered by the English. He shielded them by leading them to destroy buildings and crops in England to deter the English army.
King Edward I when about to return home, was informed that William Wallace and his army were at Falkirk. Edward went to Falkirk with his soldiers and engaged the Scottish army to defeat them. After the defeat of the Scotts at the battle of Falkirk, Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland.
7. The Giant, William Wallace
Sir William Wallace, had a giant like body. He stood at 6 foot 7 inches, with broad shoulders, strong arms and legs with very firm and strong limbs. Wallace was seen as a giant as the average height was over 5 feet at the time.
8. The Freedom Sword of William Wallace.
William Wallace sword-
Wallace had a sword that matched his gigantic appearance. The brand is referred to as the freedom sword. The blade was believed to be at Dumbarton Castle after Wallace was captured. For an estimated 200 years its whereabouts were unknown. Until 1505 when King James IV ordered the handle to undergo repair works. the sword is displayed in the National Wallace Monument.
9. Sir William Wallace was betrayed by his servant to his enemies
William was betrayed by his servant Jack Short who informed John de Menteith-a nobleman in Scott. This led to the capture and execution of William Wallace. Jack was alleged to be on a revenge mission for his brother. Jack claimed his brother was killed by Wallace according to Piers Langtoft- a chronicler.
10. The Scottish Marty William Wallace died in the hands of his enemies
Following the William Wallace betrayal, he was captured near Glasgow. He was taken to London, where he was charged and found guilty of treason. Wallace in defence maintained that he never pledged allegiance to King Edward I. So, he couldn’t be his traitor.
But, his defence changed nothing as he was executed on 23 August 1305 in the Tower of London. He was stripped naked, dragged through the streets by horses tied to a hurdle. His bowels were burnt, he was drawn, hanged and quartered.
The Scottish hero Sir William Wallace, died brave and as a patriot. This has seen him honoured through poetry-The Wallace poem of the 15th century by Blind Harry. Sir Walter Scott and Jane Porter featured Wallace in their creative works. The Oscars winning movie Braveheart of 1995 is founded on the life of Wallace. The National Wallace Monument built in the 19th Century near the Stirling Bridge is proof that Sir William Wallace is a celebrated icon in Scottish history and beyond.
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