Biography of William Wallace -1305
On 11 Sep 1297 the combined forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the forces of John Warenne 6th Earl Surrey (age 66) near Stirling Bridge, Stirling during the Battle of Stirling Bridge. After around half the English had crossed the narrow bridge the Scots attacked subjecting the English to a significant defeat.
On 22 Jul 1298 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 59) defeated the Scottish army led by William Wallace during the Battle of Falkirk at Falkirk [Map] using archers to firstly attack the Scottish shiltrons with the heavy cavalry with infantry completing the defeat.
John de Graham and John Stewart of Bonkyll (age 52) were killed.
The English were described in the Falkirk Roll that lists 111 men with their armorials including:
Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 26).
Walter Beauchamp (age 55).
Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 53).
Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex (age 49).
Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 24).
Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 37).
William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby (age 26).
Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley (age 52).
Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley (age 27).
Henry Grey 1st Baron Grey of Codnor (age 43).
Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton (age 58).
John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton (age 30).
John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 29).
Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 48).
Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 11).
William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 43).
John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 42).
Nicholas Segrave (age 42).
Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford (age 41).
Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby (age 30).
Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 20).
Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 17).
John Warenne 6th Earl Surrey (age 67).
Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 25).
Hugh Courtenay 9th Earl Devon (age 21).
Richard Fitzalan 8th Earl Arundel (age 31).
Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 19).
John Capet II Duke Brittany (age 59).
Philip Darcy (age 40).
Robert Fitzroger.
Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter (age 51), or possiby a Roger Fitzwalter?.
Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 23).
John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell (age 30), and.
Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 47).
William Scrope (age 53) was knighted.
John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 29) fought.
John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel (age 44) fought.
Around 20 Feb 1304 a chevauchée of English knights including Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 29), William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 28), John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 35), John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 48) and the future Robert "The Bruce" I King Scotland (age 29) attempted, unsuccessfully, to capture Simon Fraser and William Wallace at Happrew, Peebles during the Battle of Happrew.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. Just after Easter, in the year 1304, that same king besieged Strivelyn [Map] Castle for three months without a break. For this siege, he commanded all the lead of the refectory of Saint Andrews [Map] to be pulled down, and had it taken away for the use of his engines. At last, the aforesaid castle was surrendered and delivered unto him on certain conditions, drawn up in writing, and sealed with his seal. But when he had got the castle, the king (age 64) belied his troth, and broke through the conditions: for William Oliphant, the warden thereof, he threw bound into prison in London, and kept him a long time in thrall. The same year, when both great and small in the kingdom of Scotland (except William Wallace alone) had made their submission unto him; when the surrendered castles and fortified towns, which had formerly been broken down and knocked to pieces, had been all rebuilt, and he had appointed wardens of his own therein; and after all and sundry of Scottish birth had tendered him homage, the king (age 64), with the Prince of Wales (age 19), and his whole army, returned to England. He left, however, the chief warden as his lieutenant, to amend and control the lawlessness of all the rest, both Scots and English. He did not show his face in Scotland after this.
In 1305 John Menteith (age 30) captured William Wallace.
On 05 Aug 1305 William Wallace was handed over to the English forces by John Menteith (age 30) at Robroyston, Glasgow.
On 23 Aug 1305 William Wallace was hanged at the Elms in Smithfield [Map]. His head being displayed on London Bridge [Map].
On 08 Apr 1956 a plaque was unveiled on the wall of St Bartholomew's Hospital near to the site of his execution the text of which reads ...
To the immortal memory of Sir William Wallace Scottish patriot born at Elderslie Renfrewshire circa 1270 A.D. Who from the year 1296 fought dauntlessly in defence of his country's liberty and independence in the face of fearful odds and great hardship being eventually betrayed and captured brought to London and put to death near this spot on the 23rd August 1305.
His example heroism and devotion inspired those who came after him to win victory from defeat and his memory remains for all time a source of pride, honour and inspiration to his Countrymen.
"Dico tibi verum libertas optima rerum nunquam servili sub nexu vivito fili"
Translation: I tell you the truth, son, freedom is the best condition, never live like a slave
"Bas Agus Buaidh" aka Death and Victory, a traditional Scottish battle cry.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. In the year 1305, William Wallace was craftily and treacherously taken by John of Menteith (age 30), who handed him over to the king of England (age 66); and he was, in London, torn limb from limb, and, as a reproach to the Scots, his limbs were hung on towers in sundry places throughout England and Scotland.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. The same year, after the whole Estates of Scotland had made their submission to the king of England, John Comyn, then guardian, and all the magnates but William Wallace, little by little, one after another, made their submission unto him; and all their castles and towns - except Strivelyn Castle [Map], and the warden thereof - were surrendered unto him. That year, the king kept Lent at Saint Andrews [Map], where he called together all the great men of the kingdom, and held his parliament; and he made such decrees as he would, according to the state of the country - which, as he thought, had been gotten and won for him and his successors for ever - as well as about the dwellers therein.