William Wallace

William Wallace is one of Scotland's most famous historical figures and is considered a national Hero. Most people outside of Scotland know of William Wallace through the Hollywood film Braveheart starring Mel Gibson. However whilst Mel Gibson's film was received to much applause around the world, it is not totally historically accurate. As with most historical heroes, there is usually a fair amount of misinformation and /or fabrications that have been attached to the hero's storyline. This has also been the case with William Wallace.

Not a lot is known about the early years of William Wallace, but it is known that he had a younger named John and an elder brother named Malcolm. It is believed that his father's name was Alan.

A lot of what is known about William Wallace comes from a book entitled The Deeds of Sir William Wallace of Elderslie and written by Blind Harry. Blind Harry was known to be a wandering minstrel during the 1400's in Scotland, he would tell tales of William Wallace on his wanderings around Scotland. The book is considered the second biggest selling book ever in Scotland, second only to the Bible. Unfortunately there is no other known source to back up any of Blind Harry's tales.

In 1297 William Wallace stabbed the English governor of Lanark to death. It is believed that he did this in retaliation for the slaying of his sweetheart. After this act young men who were dismayed by the English occupation of their native soil in Scotland, flocked to join William Wallace in his uprising and by the middle of that year William Wallace had enough men to form a small army.

William Wallace and his followers fought against the English for a number of years, however Wallace was eventually betrayed and captured by the English at Robroyston near Glasgow, on 3rd August 1305. At a show trail in London Wallace was found guilty of being a traitor. After the trial Wallace was tied to the tails of horses, and dragged through the streets of London for four miles to Smithfield Elms. Once there he was hung, then cut down whilst he was still alive, he then had his stomach cut open and his entrails were pulled out and burnt before him. His heart was then ripped out and thus ending his life. Finally his body was cut into pieces and his head was stuck on a spike on old London Bridge.

Exercises:

On a new page in your books put the Heading “William Wallace”. Under the heading write a summary of the information about William Wallace available from this link. After you have completed the summary, write the following sub-headings and the questions in your books and answer them in full sentences using the links to the websites listed below.

William Wallace's Rising

1. Who helped William Wallace in his uprising?
2. What places did they attack in 1297?
3. After Wallace was Knighted what title was he given?

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

1. When did this battle happen?
2. Why was this bridge of strategic importance?
3. What kind of troops and weapons did Wallace's army have?
4. How many times was Warenne's army recalled and what were the reasons?
5. Write in your books the quote from William Wallace's first recorded speech.
6. What happened to the English army in the end?

William Wallace the Diplomat

1. What did William Wallace do in 1299?
2. What happened to him?
3. What happened in 1304?
4. What was the difference between Wallace and the other Scottish Nobles?

William Wallace the Matyr

1. What did being declared an outlaw mean?
2. Who betrayed William Wallace?
3. What was Wallace charged with?
4. Why did Wallace deny these charges?
5. Was Wallace's trial fair? Why or Why not?