William Wallace

William Wallace
Depiction of Wallace in a stained glass window in the Wallace Monument
Guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland
(Second Interregnum)
In office
1297–1298
Preceded byJohn Balliol (as King of the Scots)
Succeeded by
Personal details
Bornc. 1270
Possibly Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Kingdom of Scotland
Died23 August 1305 (aged c. 35)
Smithfield, London, Kingdom of England
Cause of deathHanged, drawn and quartered
Resting placeLondon, in an unmarked grave
SpouseMarion Braidfute[1] (disputed)
ChildrenNone recorded
OccupationMilitary leader
Military service
Allegiance Kingdom of Scotland
Years of service1297–1305
RankCommander
Battles/wars

Sir William Wallace (Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas, pronounced [ˈɯʎam ˈuəl̪ˠəs̪]; Norman French: William le Waleys;[2] c. 1270[3] – 23 August 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.[4]

Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297. He was appointed Guardian of Scotland and served until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298. In August 1305, Wallace was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason and crimes against English civilians.

Since his death, Wallace has obtained a legendary status beyond his homeland. He is the protagonist of Blind Harry's 15th-century epic poem The Wallace and the subject of literary works by Jane Porter and Sir Walter Scott, and of the Academy Award-winning film Braveheart.

  1. ^ "Info". wallace.scran.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  2. ^ Stevenson, Joseph (1841). Documents illustrative of Sir William Wallace: his life and times. Printed for the Maitland club. p. 173. Retrieved 1 September 2013 – via New York Public Library and Internet Archive.
  3. ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (15 April 2024). "William Wallace". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024.
  4. ^ "William Wallace (c. 1270–1305)". BBC History. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2010.

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