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 by | John Balliol (as King of the Scots) |
| Succeeded by | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1270 Possibly Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Kingdom of Scotland |
| Died | 23 August 1305 (aged c. 35) Smithfield, London, Kingdom of England |
| Cause of death | Hanged, drawn and quartered |
| Resting place | London, in an unmarked grave |
| Spouse | Marion Braidfute[1] (disputed) |
| Children | None recorded |
| Occupation | Military leader |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Scotland |
| Years of service | 1297–1305 |
| Rank | Commander |
| 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.
- ^ "Info". wallace.scran.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (15 April 2024). "William Wallace". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024.
- ^ "William Wallace (c. 1270–1305)". BBC History. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2010.