William Wallace and the Scottish Wars

• William Wallace (1270-1305) is considered a Scottish hero. Michael Lynch calls Wallace's reputation "formidable."

Wallace's Importance

• Wallace is closely linked to the Scottish Wars of Independence, which occurred from 1296 to 1346.
• England sought to dominate Scotland.
• The unexpected death of King Alexander III in 1286 led to his granddaughter Margaret becoming heir.
• Margaret, nicknamed "the Maid of Norway," was four years old and too young to rule; 6 guardians governed Scotland.
• Margaret died in 1290 while traveling from Norway, causing a succession crisis.
• Scotland invited King Edward I of England to choose a ruler due to political division.
• Edward I used this opportunity to assert English claims of overlordship.

Claimants to the Scottish Throne

• There were 13 claimants, with John Balliol and Robert Bruce V (grandfather of Robert the Bruce) being the main contenders.
• Edward I chose Balliol for his perceived docility.
• Balliol was crowned in November 1291 after promising homage and fealty to Edward.
• Edward's manipulation led Scotland to consider war for complete independence.
• Scotland negotiated a military alliance with France in 1295.
• This alliance between Scotland and France became known as the "Auld Alliance."
• Edward invaded Scotland upon learning of the treaty, seizing Berwick.
• Many inhabitants died, and the Earl of Surrey defeated the Scots at Dunbar in 1296.
• King John Balliol surrendered and was imprisoned.
• Edward convened a parliament in Berwick in 1296, where Scottish nobles paid homage to him.
• Scotland was placed under direct English rule, and Hugh Cressingham was appointed treasurer.
• Scotland revolted, leading to William Wallace's emergence.

Wallace's Early Life

• Limited information is available about Wallace's life before the wars.
• Wallace was the son of Alan Wallace, a land farmer in Ayrshire.
• A seal attributed to William Wallace read "William Son of Allen Wallace."
• Alan was a crowned tenant, unlike Sir Malcom Wallace of Elderslie.
• William had brothers named Malcolm and John.
• Wallace's father and brothers had different political views.
• Alan submitted to Edward I in 1296.
• Wallace's brothers were connected to the Bruce's clan, while William was pro-Balliol.
• The Wallace family had divided political loyalties.

Wallace's Education and Skills

• WAllace was educated, familiar with Greek and latin, and knowledgeable about the Bible.
• Wallace made a living as an archer.

Wallace's Achievements in Public Life

• He resisted Edward I and aimed to free Scotland and restore King John Balliol.
• Wallace killed Sir William Heselrig, the English Sheriff of Lanark, after he ordered the murder of his wife/mistress, Marianne Braidfute, triggering a revolt in Clydesdale.
• Wallace's leadership led to revolts in southwest Scotland, using guerilla tactics.
• Andrew Moray led revolts in northeast Scotland.
• Wallace and Murray joined forces at Stirling Bridge on September 11, 1297, achieving a significant victory.
• The English treasurer was killed and skinned.
• Wallace secured William de Lamberton's appointment as bishop of Saint Andrews.
• Wallace and Moray sent a letter to German cities, declaring Scotland free for trade.
• Wallace was appointed guardian of the realm in March 1298.

Defeat and Diplomacy

• Wallace was defeated at Falkirk on July 11, 1298, because of the accuracy of the English archers.
• Andrew Fisher attributed the defeat to the weakness of the Scottish cavalry.
• Gordon Donaldson cited lack of support from Scottish nobles due to Wallace's lower social standing.
• Some nobles favored collaboration with the English.
• Robert Bruce may not have been at Falkirk.
• Wallace resigned his guardianship and left Scotland to promote independence because he was at odds with the Bruce and Comyn families.
• He traveled to Norway, France, and Italy.
• Wallace secured an audience with Philip IV of France who supported the Scots and requested support from the French representative in Rome.

Return and Capture

• Wallace returned to Scotland in 1302-3 and resorted to guerilla tactics.
• The situation became hopeless by 1304, and most Scottish nobles submitted to Edward I.
• Wallace refused to surrender and was declared an outlaw.
• Wallace was captured in Glasgow in August 1305 and betrayed by Monteith.
• Edward made Monteith sheriff of Dunbarton as a reward.
• Wallace was taken to London and subjected to a harsh trial in Westminster Hall, where he was denied a jury, witnesses, and the ability to defend himself.
• He denied being a traitor, but the tribunal ordered his execution.
• Wallace was to be drowned, hanged, dismembered, and his body distributed across the lands.

Wallace’s Legacy

• Wallace's life and death significantly impacted Scottish history.
• He has become a mythical figure for the Scots.
• Wallace's heroism stems from his patriotism, fight for independence, and uncompromising attitude.

Development of Wallace’s Reputation

• Early English chronicles portrayed Wallace as evil and barbaric.
• The Lanercost Chronicle described Wallace as "a certain bloody man," criticizing his cruelty and revenge.
• Scottish chroniclers John of Fordun, Andrew of Wyntoun, and Walter Bower defended Wallace as a hero and a victim of Scottish aristocracy.
• John of Fordun was the earliest Scottish source, depicting Wallace as a people's hero.
• Wallace was seen as a victim of the Scottish aristocracy who was resentful.
• Wyntoun's account provided detailed information about Wallace's early life and battles.

Wallace in Later Chronicles

• WW is represented as a virtuous man and a Scottish patriot who refused to come to terms with the english.
• As noted by graham morton, the youth of the people's language was a key to widening the story and creating a truly national tale.
• Walter Bower's Scotichronicon praised Wallace and likened him to Mattathias.
• Wallace's deeds are described as "a celestial gift", and he's seen as a generous helper of the poor.
• Bower provides the first physical portrait of WWallice.
• Henry, although otherwise unknown, composed "The Wallace," a poem of over ten thousand lines which was composed in the late 15th century.
• Considered the most common book in Scottish households apart from the bible, influencing the anti-English sentiment of the time.
• Henry's Wallace is portrayed with superhuman powers.
• Historians have accused Henry of plagiarism.
• He is regarded by three estates, two archers and and to the use of gunpowder.
• Chris Brown an Historian says Wallace did not restore the kingdoms as claimed.
• John Mayor said he gave only partial credence and justified the spilling of blood to restore Scotland's independence
• He interprets the fall and the death resulting from the part as a superhuman.
• In the 18th Century was criticized and became very popular.
• Burms confessed the story of Wallace poured a Scottish prejudice
• wordsworth also took a Book the prelude and the scoittish patriots.
• Walter scot gave a symapthaic account of warrior independence.
• Graham morton pointed new authors took to recrafting tails in the vicrorian era so that he could fit in.
• Scotsman writers retold qualities his virtues and athetlic quality.
• Alexander keith point out the body trength and generosity which pointed out that the mosy of victorian and 19th Historians for cottages and greatness.
• The Myth of WW and celebrated freedom fighters.
• Wallace won his monument and celebrated this in stirting
• WW in stirring and in 19th.
• Garabaldi and Marzzoni and freedom fighters.

The Wallace Cult Today

• Wallace has transitioned from one millennium to another with reputation untouched and enhance.
• Walllace heroic status is by commited to the ibrerty.
• Mickeal Lynch on he states the WW story for that his life ws easy to contrsuct.
• He has to been also from has history
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• They acknowledge quality and achieve importab big par rising the scots
• He did so ww did he not made his anger.
• However historiands have denounced
• WWs achivemen were very edwards didnt to make is possesion but add.
• WW was not a perfect dark brutal
• ww repay ww was
• WWs actions are what made his politics ww to not in ww

Historical Critiques

• Modern historians have been critical of "Braveheart" for historical inaccuracies.
• Chris Brown has criticized the costumes used, which were not accurate for the time period.
• Michael Lynch has expressed concern over the excess in the revival of the Wallace cult.

Diverse Perspectives on Wallace

• As Morton puts it 'historians are so that here is an acedemicbiographie of ww
• The Scotts liberty and the wallacce
• Roberts Bruie

Robert Bruce's Background

• Robert the 1st and ww one of the scotland greatest figues

• Colm mcnamee looks upon him is isalnds".

• Robert bruice long win 1274 and 1309

• Bruide to known to brucebruicee of swwest scot since 12th centir.

• bruice marry in wesy

• bruice robert bruice.

The Death of King Robert

• Michael Penman suggests that Comyn was killed for refusing to subordinate his claim to Bruce's.
• Robert might have justified this act to restore Scotland's independence.
• On March 25, 1306, he was inaugurated as king at Scone.

A Warrior and Fugitive

• Bruce became the target of Scottish and English enemies, becoming a fugitive.
• He resorted to guerilla tactics.
• He burnt castles (scorched-earth tactic).
• Prospects improved in the spring of 1307 following the victory at London Hill.
• Edward the was to draw to a scottish problem -legtimzise.is.
• Robert bruce again his castle robert the second.
• Robert bruce.
• and be scottish so he could.

Military Accomplishments

• Robert Bruce's greatest military achievement was winning against the English in Bannockburn on June 24, 1314.
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Final Days

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Portrayals

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Conclusion

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