Sir
William Wallace (c.1270 – 1305) was a Scottish knight who led the
resistance to the English occupation of Scotland during significant periods of
the Wars of Scottish Independence. Tradition often describes Wallace as "one of
the common people," in contrast to his countryman, Robert the Bruce, who came
from the upper nobility. More likely, Wallace's family were minor gentry,
descending from Richard Wallace the Welshman, a landowner under an early member
of the House of Stuart, which later became the Royal House of Scotland. At the
time of Wallace's birth, King Alexander III had reigned for over twenty years.
His rule had seen a period of peace and economic stability, and he had
successfully fended off continuing English claims to Scotland. In 1286,
Alexander died after falling from his horse; none of his children survived him. A number of claimants to the Scottish throne came forward almost immediately.
With Scotland threatening to descend into a dynastic war, the leading men of the realm invited the English king, Edward I to choose the next king of Scotland. Before the process could begin, Edward insisted that all of the contendors recognize him as Lord Paramount of Scotland. After some initial resistance, all, including John Balliol and Robert Bruce, the chief contendors, accepted this precondition. Finally, in early November 1292, at a great feudal court held in the castle at Berwick-upon-Tweed, judgment was given in favour of John Balliol, having the strongest claim in law. Formal announcement of the judgment was given by Edward on 17 November.
Although the outcome of the Great Cause had been both fair and legal, Edward proceeded to use the political concessions he had gained to undermine the independence of Scotland, and to make King John's position intolerable. Goaded beyond endurance, Balliol renounced his homage in March 1296, and by the end of the month Edward had stormed Berwick-upon-Tweed, sacking the then Scottish border town with much bloodshed. He slaughtered almost everyone who resided there, even if they fled to the churches. In April, the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Dunbar (1296) in Lothian, and by July Edward had forced Balliol to abdicate at Kincardine Castle. Edward went to Berwick in August to receive formal homage from some 2,000 Scottish nobles (see Ragman Roll), having previously removed the Stone of Destiny from Scone Palace, the stone on which all of the Kings of Scots had been crowned.
William Wallace began his war for independence by murdering the son of the English governor of Dundee. In 1297 he won a couple of battles against the English. Supporters of the growing revolt suffered a major blow when Scottish nobles agreed to terms with the English at Irvine in July. On 11 September, 1297, Wallace achieved victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Although vastly outnumbered, the Scottish forces led by Wallace and Andrew Moray (a more prominent noble, being a first son), routed the English army.
Upon his return from the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Wallace was knighted, possibly by Robert the Bruce, and Wallace was named "Guardian of Scotland and Leader of its armies", now Sir William Wallace.
A year later the military tables turned at the Battle of Falkirk. The Scots lost many men, but Wallace escaped, though his military reputation suffered badly. By September 1298, Wallace had decided to resign as Guardian of Scotland in favour of Robert Bruce. Bruce became reconciled with King Edward in 1302, while Wallace spurned such moves towards peace. Sir William evaded capture by the English until 5 August 1305, when Sir John de Menteith, a Scottish knight loyal to Edward, turned Wallace over to English soldiers at Robroyston, near Glasgow. Wallace was transported to London where he was brutally executed.