William Wallace is one of Scotland's most iconic national heroes. Known for his fierce resistance against English rule during the Wars of Independence. William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland, had further fame from the film Braveheart and his famous "freedom" speech.
A symbol of freedom, defiance and Scottish pride, Wallace's legacy remains centuries after his death.
William Wallace was born around 1270 in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, the son of Sir Malcolm Wallace. Historians know little about his early life, and much of the available information blends history with folklore and legend.
What is clear is that Wallace came of age during a time of growing unrest as England, under King Edward I, tightened its grip on Scotland.
In 1296, Edward I invaded Scotland, forcing King John Balliol to abdicate and asserting English control. Wallace emerged the following year as a leader of resistance.
One of Wallace's earliest acts was the killing of the English sheriff in Lanark. A move that didn't just make headlines, it lit the spark of open rebellion. While many of the Scottish nobles were slow to act, Wallace didn't wait. His boldness struck a chord with ordinary people, who began to rally behind him as someone willing to stand up and fight.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297 was Wallace's most famous victory. Alongside Andrew Moray, Wallace led a smaller Scottish force against a larger English army. The Scots used the bridge to their advantage and defeated the English shortly after Wallace became the Guardian of Scotland.
Wallace's time as Guardian was short-lived. In 1298, King Edward I led a retaliatory campaign into Scotland. The English cavalry and longbowmen overwhelmed Wallace's forces at the Battle of Falkirk. Despite the defeat, Wallace survived and resigned his guardianship, instead continuing his resistance in a more guerrilla-style fashion.
In 1305, Sir John Menteith betrayed Wallace near Glasgow, handed him over to the English, and had him transported to London.
Charged with treason, despite never swearing allegiance to Edward I, the English King.
On 23 August 1305, he was brutally executed by being hung, drawn, and quartered. His body parts were sent to different towns across England and Scotland as a warning.
Though Wallace did not live to see Scotland regain its independence, his defiance laid the groundwork for future leaders like Robert the Bruce.
Inspiring generations to fight for Scottish sovereignty, becoming a symbol of freedom and national pride.
The Wallace Monument, built near Stirling in the 19th century, is a tribute to his enduring legacy.
William Wallace's story reached a global audience through the 1995 film Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson.
The movie brought international attention to Scotland's fight for independence. While Braveheart isn't entirely accurate, it played a huge role in reviving global interest in William Wallace and portraying him as a symbol of freedom.
English forces captured Wallace near Glasgow after Sir John Menteith, a Scottish knight loyal to Edward I, betrayed him.
Braveheart captures the spirit of Wallace's fight but takes many liberties with facts. For example, Wallace never wore a kilt, and his relationship with Princess Isabella is fictional.
Wallace's body was quartered and scattered across several locations. His head was displayed on London Bridge. No full burial site exists for William Wallace.
After Wallace was executed in London in 1305, his head was placed on London Bridge, while his limbs were sent to Newcastle, Berwick, Perth, and Aberdeen. The English intended the brutal execution as a warning, but it instead helped turn Wallace into a national hero.
Wallace stood up against English domination. His courage and leadership in the fight for Scottish independence made him a powerful symbol of Scottish freedom.
Visitors can explore places closely linked to Wallace’s life, including the Wallace Monument in Stirling, the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and Elderslie, where many believe he was born.
