Sir William Wallace is one of Scotlands greatest generals and was a great help towards the freedom of Scotland because he brought patriotism to the minds of his fellow Scotsmen in order fight for the freedom for which was nearly taken away by the their English neighbors. He would ride through Scotland gathering clans both from the high and lowlands. Over the years after his death, Scots have proclaimed Sir William Wallace as their countries hero and the man who made freedom run through the blood of so many who were by his side.
Hundreds of years before the time of Sir William Wallace, Roman troops tried to conquer parts of Scotland but failed. The savagery of the Scots put the fear in the Romans and caused them to build Hadrians Wall. The wall separated Scotland and England (which was part of the Roman Empire). When the great empire fell to destruction by many Germanic tribes, Scots began to live a more peaceful life. During the Norman conquest of 1066, a group of people called the Normans invaded England, killed many Anglo-Saxon and Celtic tribes, and took over the country.
England was now under Norman rule and would stay that way. (Comptons Home Encyclopedia CD Rom) In 1296, English troops invaded the lowlands of Scotland burning villages, killing innocent Scots, and trying to over rule the vast countrysides of the lowlands and the highlands. The new ruler of England, King Edward I the Long Shanks, started all this. He believed that he should have control of the whole island itself. His idea about conquering Scotland was that if he cant beat them out, then he could breed them out.
He brought the old English custom called Prima Noctes; if a woman is married in the country of Scotland, an English lord has every right to take her away from her husband for a few days and have his ways with her. Clans of lowlanders came together to form an army. It took awhile for the highlanders to know about this. Conflicts brook out between the Scottish rebels and English troops. Bows and arrows and other combat weapons were taken from the Scots except for their swords and axes. (Comptons Home Encyclopedia CD Rom) The answer to Scotlands problems came with the birth of William Wallace.
His exact date of birth is unknown but he was born in the 1270s. As a young man, he quickly became educated by having his father, Malcolm Wallace, deciding for William to move to France with his uncle to have a better education. At the age of 18, Wallace moved back to Scotland hoping to see his father and two brothers (Malcolm Jr. and John). The hope of his would come to an end when he found out that his father and brothers were killed in battle during a revolt in Southern Scotland. Anger immerged in the young Scotsman. In the movie Braveheart, he had vengeance towards the English for the death of his wife, but that was all false.
He was never married. (Battle of the Clans on the History Channel) At a bar (Town unknown) an English man started to insult Wallace causing the frustrating young man to kill him. He was an outlaw after the incident. Wallace became revengeful to the English and traveled from town to town, village to village gathering a band of followers and clans from both the highlands and the lowlands. They began the struggle against the English rule of Edward I. Gradually the number of Wallaces followers grew, as they all headed farther south from the highlands to fight the massive English army.
Battle of the Clans on the History Channel) September. 11, 1297, William Wallace and his army full of clans marched to attack English troops at Stirling. They charged over the bridge leading to the city and clashed against the enemys forces. Bloody it was, but it paid off. They defeated and almost destroyed the English army at Stirling, and drove the enemy entirely out of Scotland. This devastated and brought fear in the whole northern part of England. As a reward for his victory, patriotism, and courage, Wallace became knighted and was proclaimed as guardian of Scotland.
He then became known as Sir William Wallace. After the embarrassment of his defeat, Edward the Long Shanks soon led a new and larger army to stop the forces of Sir William Wallace and to claim Scotland as his own. (http://www. highlanderweb. com. uk/wallace) The nobles of Scotland started to become more involved in English customs and government. This was because they were bribed for the lowlands of Scotland. For giving much of the lands to England, their reward would be more land to claim their own and fine estates. Many Scots from small villages would then be put to force of labor for he land owning nobles.
This brought even more conflict between England and even some of the nobles. Some were even murdered. (http://www. scotlands-war. com) The nobles were pretty much traitors to the country and were letting greed get in their minds instead of fighting for a cause that they would appreciate even more, freedom. Wallace became frustrated and murdered any noble that crossed his path. (http://www. scotlands-war. com) A man by the name of Sir Robert Bruce became involved. He was a fugitive to the English army and is another hero to the Scots. Like Wallace, Bruce led clans to fight for the same cause.
No one knows whether Wallace and Bruce met or even seen each other. Its a fact that they heard of their names before but thats about it. (http://www. highlanderweb. com. uk/bruce) July 22, 1298, Sir William Wallace led an army of many, which some had fought beside him in battles before, to Falkirk. The massive English forces were already at the battle site. The battle signed the death warrant for many Scotsmen. Wallaces forces were overpowered. It was tragic day for young Wallace. Scots had enough of him and forced him out of Scotland.
In 1305, Wallace was in his bed with another woman when suddenly English soldiers brook down the door and captured Wallace. He was taken to London where he would be executed. On August 23, 1305, Sir William Wallace executed for high treason. Two years after the death of Wallace, King Edward 1 the Long Shanks died. His son, Edward II, would take the thrown of England. (Comptons Home Encyclopedia CD Rom) Even though the life of Wallace was taken away, the Scots still fought for their freedom and for Wallace. Sir Robert Bruce became crowned king of Scotland shortly after the death of Wallace.
Bruce and his larger army than before won battle after battle and became more powerful than ever. At last, on June 24, 1314, the English and Scottish forces met in the fierce battle of Bannockburn. This war would decide the fate of Scotland. (http://www. scotlands-war. com) The great army of Edward II came pouring over the border. Bruce had not half as many men but he chose a strong position. On one side of the battlefield flowed a stream called the Bannock, which had steep, rocky banks. Stirling Castle rose on the other side. In front were bogs and marshes.
Bruce had pits dug wherever the land was firm to engulf the enemies Calvary. (Histories Mysteries on William Wallace on the History Channel) Right when the battle started, the skilled English archers were unsupported by their cavalry and were forced to retreat. When the armored knights advanced they stumbled into the pits and found themselves helpless before the several spears that were aimed upon them. Soon after, behind the Scottish ranks, appeared to be a fresh army advancing. They were only the servants, drivers, and other camp followers whom Bruce had sent behind a hill.
They now came to join the fight. The English army was led into confusion. They suffered an embarrassing and bloody defeat. Bruces thrown was now secured. (Histories Mysteries on William Wallace on the History Channel) Wallace had failed to free his country from the power of England, but he inspired others to carry on the quest. When the Battle of Bannockburn was won by the Scots, Scotlands independence was temporarily secured under Sir Robert the Bruce and was free for a few decades more, until the early 1600s, but thats another story waiting to be told.
