Biography of William Wallace -1305
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough Voume 2. [Before 11 Sep 1297]. Upon the arrival of the Earl of Warenne (age 65) at Berwick, the aforementioned matters were reported to him in full. He sent messengers to the king to seek his will; the king, being ready to embark on his journey, as previously stated, did not wish to be delayed but, for the sake of peace, granted the requests. After giving a response for a specific day, the Scots still deliberated in their hearts, postponing the hostages they had promised and requesting all their rights and ancient customs, as they had been accustomed to hold from the King of Scots in ancient times. Although these promises were still to be granted, as if under certain hope, the days were repeatedly extended, and various trifling and changing matters were added, because in the meantime, the robber William Wallace was gathering the people.
Adveniente apud Berewikum comite de Warenna, ei per ordinem pradicta nunciantur, et -missis ad regem nunciis, voluntatem ipsius ex- petiit; qui existens inprocinctu itineris, ut dictum est, noluit impediri, sed pro bono pacis postulata concessit, factoque ad diem certum hu- jusmodi responso, adhuc 'disserebant'1 Scoti in cordibus suis, differentes obsides quos promiseant, et postulantes omnia jura sua et antiquas consuetudines, sicut a rege Scotorum antiquitus tenere consueverant. Quæ cum adhuc essent 'quasi sub certa'2 spe concedenda promissa, iterum et iterum multiplicantur dies, et variantia semper et frivola jungebantur, eo quod ille latro Willelmus Walays interim populum adunabat.
Note 1. 'disserebantur,' MS. Coll. Arm.; ‘dissecabantur,' MSS, Cott. Tib. and Vesp.
Note 2. 'quassata,' MS, Cott. Vesp.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough Voume 2. [Before 11 Sep 1297]. When the robber William Wallace heard this, he was angered in spirit and went to the house of the bishop, seizing all his possessions, weapons, and horses, and even taking the bishop’s sons, called his nephews, with him. His force grew immensely in numbers because the common people of the land followed him as though he were their leader and prince. Even the entire household of the magnates adhered to him, and although the magnates themselves were physically with our king, their hearts were far from him.
Quod cum audisset ille latro Willelmus Walays, iratus animo perrexit ad domum episcopi, et omnem ejus supellectilem, arma, et equos, filios etiam episcopi nepotum nomine nuncupatos, secum adduxit; et auctus est immenso Scotorum numero, eo quod communitas terræ sequebatur eum tanquam ducem et principem. Tota etiam familia magnatum adhærebat ei, et licet ipsi magnates cum rege nostro essent corpore, cor tamen eorum longe erat ab eo.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough Voume 2. [11 Sep 1297]. Meanwhile, two Dominican friars were sent to the Scottish army, which was hiding on the other side of the hill above the monastery of Cambuskenneth with that robber William Wallace, to see if they might be willing to embrace the peace that was being offered. To this, the robber replied, "Tell your men that we have not come for the sake of peace, but we are ready for battle, to avenge ourselves and free our kingdom! Let them come up whenever they wish, and they will find us ready, even right in their faces." It was said that they had 180 cavalry and 40,000 infantry. When this was reported to our forces, some presumptuously said, "Let us go up against them, for these are only threats." But the wiser ones added, "Let us not ascend yet, but carefully deliberate on what would be the most prudent course of action for us."
Mittebantur etiam interim duo fratres Prædicatores ad exercitum Scotorum, qui in altera parte montis supra monasterium de Skambskynel cum illo latrone Willelmo Walays latitabat, si forte pacem amplecti vellent quam tendebant. Ad hac ille latro, "Renunciate," inquit, "vestris quod pro bono pacis non venimus, sed parati sumus ad pugnam, ad vindicandum scilicet nos et liberandum regnum nostrum! Ascendant ergo cum voluerint, et nos paratos invenient etiam in barbas eorum." Erant autem, ut dicebatur, centum octoginta equestres, et quadraginta millia peditum. Cumque talia dicerentur nostris, mox præsumptuosi dicebant, "Ascendamus ad eos, minæ enimsunt." Sapientioresverosubjunxerunt, "Non ascendamus adhuc, sed provide deliberemus quid nobis consultius fuerit faciendum."
On 11 Sep 1297 the combined forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the forces of John Warenne 6th Earl of 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.
Scalacronica. 11 Sep 1297. And the following winter, the said William Wallace burnt all Northumberland. The Earl of Warenne (age 66), who was Keeper of Scotland for the King of England, being in the south1, turned towards Scotland; where at the bridge of Stirling he was defeated by William Wallace, who, being at hand in order of battle2, allowed so many of the English as he pleased to cross over the said bridge, and, at the right moment3, attacked them, caused the bridge to be broken, where many of the English perished, with Hugh de Cressingham, the King's Treasurer; and it was said that the Scots caused him to be flayed, and in token of hatred made girths of his skin. The Earl of Warenne took flight to Berwick. William Wallace, to whom the Scots adhered, immediately after this discomfiture, followed4 the said Earl of Warenne in great force, and skirting Berwick, arrived on Hutton Moor in order of battle; but perceiving the English arrayed to oppose him, he came no nearer to Berwick, but retired and bivouacked in Duns Park5.
Note 1. Warenne, or Surrey, which was his principal title, had been recalled on 18th August for service with King Edward on the Continent, and Sir Brian Fitz Alan was appointed Keeper of Scotland in his place. But Sir Brian having raised a difficulty about his salary (£1128 8s.), the Prince of Wales wrote on 7th Sept., 1298, requiring Surrey to remain at his post. (See Stevenson's Documents illustrative of the History of Scotland, ii. 230.)
Note 2. En batailA soun point. i.e., in force or in order of battle; used in both senses.
Note 3. A soun point. i.e.
Note 4. Suyst, misprinted fuyst in Maitland Club Ed.
Note 5. Not Duns Park on Whitadder, but in a place which then bore that name a little to the north of Berwick.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. 11 Sep 1297. Battle of Stirling Bridge
In the year 1297, the fame of William Wallace was spread all abroad, and, at length, reached the ears of the king of England; for the loss brought upon his people was crying out. As the king, however, was intent upon many troublesome matters elsewhere, he sent his treasurer, named Hugh of Clissingham, with a large force to repress this William's boldness, and to bring the kingdom of Scotland under his sway. When, therefore, he heard of this man's arrival, the aforesaid William, then busy besieging the English who were in Dundee Castle, straightway intrusted the care and charge of the siege of the castle to the burgesses of that town, on pain of loss of life and limb, and, with his army, marched on, with all haste, towards Strivelyn (Stirling), to meet this Hugh. A battle was then fought, on the 11th of September, near Strivelyn (Stirling), at the bridge over the Forth. Hugh of Clissingham was killed, and all his army put to flight: some of them were slain with the sword, others taken, others drowned in the waters. But, through God, they were all overcome; and the aforesaid William gained a happy victory, with no little praise. Of the nobles, on his side, the noble Andrew of Moray alone, the father of Andrew, fell wounded.
Lanercost Chronicle. 11 Sep 1297. When this had been done and the greater part of the army had been dismissed, the Steward brought them to the bridge of Stirling, where on the other side of the water the army of Scotland was posted. They [the Scots] allowed as many of the English to cross the bridge as they could hope to overcome, and then, having blocked the bridge1, they slaughtered all who had crossed over, among whom perished the Treasurer of England, Hugh de Cressingham, of whose skin William Wallace caused a broad strip to be taken from the head to the heel, to make therewith a baldrick for his sword1. The Earl of Warenne escaped with difficulty and with a small following, so hotly did the enemy pursue them. After this the Scots entered Berwick and put to death the few English that they found therein; for the town was then without walls, and might be taken as easily by English or Scots coming in force. The castle of the town, however, was not surrendered on this occasion.
Note 1. Ponte obturato i.e. with the bridge blocked.
Note 2. Other writers say the skin was cut up into horse-girths.
On 22 Jul 1298 King Edward 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 of Surrey (age 67).
Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 25).
Hugh Courtenay 9th Earl Devon (age 21).
Richard Fitzalan 8th Earl of 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 King Robert the Bruce I of 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, 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.
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.
On 23 Aug 1305 William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered 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.
Documents Illustrative of the Life of William Wallace Chapter 28. 23 Aug 1305. It is adjudged that the aforesaid William [William Wallace], for the manifest sedition which he committed against his lord the king by feloniously plotting to kill him, by carrying the banner against his liege lord in mortal battle, and by attempting the annulment and overthrow of his crown and royal dignity, shall be drawn from the palace at Westminster to the Tower of London, and from the Tower to Aldgate, and thus through the middle of the city to Smithfield (Elmes), and for the robberies, murders, and felonies which he committed in the kingdom of England and the land of Scotland, he shall be hanged there, and afterwards cut down. And because he was outlawed, and was never restored to the king’s peace, he shall be beheaded and decapitated. And afterwards, for the immense vileness he committed against God and Holy Church by burning churches, vessels, and reliquaries in which the body of Christ and the bodies and relics of the saints were placed, his heart, liver, lungs, and all his internal organs, from which such perverse thoughts proceeded, shall be cast into the fire and burned. And also, because he committed the aforesaid sedition, depredations, arsons, murders, and felonies not only against his lord the king but against all the people of England and Scotland, the body of the said William shall be cut and divided into four quarters, and his head thus severed shall be set upon London Bridge in view of those passing by both by land and by water, and one quarter shall be hung on the gibbet at Newcastle upon Tyne, another quarter at Berwick, a third quarter at Stirling, and the fourth quarter at St. John’s Town (Perth), as a warning and punishment to all who pass by and see them, etc.
— Consideratum est quod prædictus Willelmus pro manifesta seditione quam ipsi domino regi secerat felonice machinando, in mortem ejus perpetrando, annulationem et enervationem coronæ et regiæ dignitatis suæ vexillum contra dominum suum ligium in bello mortali deferendo, detrahatur a palatio Westmonasterii ussque Turrim London, et a Turri usque Allegate, et sic per medium civitatis usque Elmes, et pro roberiis et homicidiis et feloniis, quas in regno Angliæ et terra Scotia fecit, ibidem sufsendatur et poftea devaletur. Et quia utlagatus fuit, nec postea ad pacem domini regis restitutus, decolletur et decapitetur. Et postea pro immensa vilitate, quam Deo et sacrosanctæ ecclesiæ fecit comburendo ecclesias, vasa et feretra, in quibus corpus Christi et corpora sanctorum et reliquiæ eorundem collocabantur, cor, epar, et pulmo et omnia interiora ipsius Willelmi, a quibus tam perversæ cogitationes processerunt, in ignem mittantur et comburentur. Et etiam, quia non solum ipsi domino regi, sed toti plebi Angliæ et Scotiæ, prædicta seditionem, deprædationes, incendia, et homicidia et felonias fecerat, corpus illius Willelmi in quatuor quarteria scindatur et dividatur, et caput sic abscissum assedatur super pontem London, in conspectu tam per terram quam per aquam transeuntium, et unum quarterium suspendatur in gibetto apud Novum Castrum super Tynam, aliud quarterium apud Berewyk, tertium quarterium apud Stryvelyn, et quartum quarterium apud Villam Sancti Johannis, in metum et castigationem omnium prætereuntium et ea conspicientium, & c.
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.
Documents Illustrative of the Life of William Wallace Chapter 28. William Wallace, a Scot by birth and origin, captured for sedition, murders, plunderings, arsons, and various other felonies, came forth, and it was recited by the justices how, after the said lord king had conquered the land of Scotland from John Balliol, prelates, earls, barons, and other enemies of his land by the forfeiture of John, and had subdued all Scots to his dominion and royal power as their king, and had publicly received the homages and fealties of the prelates, earls, barons, and many others, and had caused his peace to be proclaimed throughout the land of Scotland, and had appointed and established custodians of that land in his place, sheriffs, provosts, bailiffs, and other officials to maintain his peace and to administer justice to all according to the laws and customs of that land, the aforesaid William Wallace, unmindful of his loyalty and allegiance, rose up in all the felony and premeditated sedition he could muster against the said lord king, gathering to himself and conspiring with a vast number of felons, and feloniously attacked and assaulted the custodians and officials of the said king, and feloniously, and against the peace of the said lord king, assaulted, wounded, and killed William de Heselrig, sheriff of Lanark, who was holding the king’s pleas in full county court, and afterward, in contempt of the said king, had the sheriff thus killed dismembered. And from that time onward, gathering to himself all the armed multitudes he could, and adhering to his felony, he invaded towns, cities, and castles of that land, issued his own writs throughout all Scotland as if they were the writs of a sovereign of that land, and held and convened his own parliaments and assemblies, having deposed all the custodians and officials of the said lord king in the land of Scotland through himself. Not content with such wickedness and sedition, he advised all the prelates, earls, and barons of his land who adhered to his party to submit to the fealty and dominion of the King of France and to seek aid for the destruction of the kingdom of England.
Willelmus Waleis Scotus et de Scotia ortus, captus pro seditione, micidiis, deprædacionibus, incendiis, et aliis diversis feloniis, venit, et recitato per eosdem justiciarios qualiter, postquam prædictus dominus rex terram Scotia super Johannem Baillol, prælatos, comites, barones et alios ejusdem terræ inimicos suos, per forissacturam ipsius Johannis, hostiliter conquisivisset, et conquæstu illius omnes Scotos dominio et regiæ potestati suæ, ut eorum regi, submisisset et subjugasset, homagia et fidelitates prælatorum, comitum, baronum, et aliorum plurimorum publice recepisset, pacemque suam per totam terram Scotia proclamari secisset, Custodes terræ illius, locum suum tenentes, vicecomites, præpositos, ballivos et alios ministros suos ad pacem suam manutenendam et justitiam quibuscunque secundum leges et consuetudines terræ illius faciendam, ordinassset et statuisset, prædictus Willelmum le Waleys, fidelitatis et ligancia fuæ immemor, omnia quæv poterat felonia ac seditione præcogitata in ipsum dominum regem, adunato fibi et confœderato immenso numero felonum, surrexit, et custodes et ministros ipsius regis felonice invafit et impugnavit, et Willelmum de Hesebreggw, vicecomitem de Lanarke, qui placita ipsius regis in plenox comitatu [ ], felonice et contra pacem ipsius domini regis insultavit, vulneravit et interfecit, et postea, in contemptum ipsius regis, ipsum vicecomitem sic interfectum, frustratim dimicavit. Et ex sunc omni qua poterat multitudine armatorum sibi et feloniæ suæ adhærentium adunata, villas, civitates, et castra terræ illius invasit, et brevia sua per totam Scotiam, tanquam brevia superioris illius terræ, emanare fecit et demandavit, parliamenta et congregationes suas, omnibus custodibus et ministris prædicti domini regis de terra Scotia per ipsum Willelmum dejectis, tenuit et assedit; nec tanta nequitia et seditione volens contineri, consuluit omnibus prælatis, comitibus et baronibus terræ suæ parti suæ adhærentibus, quod fidelitati et dominio regis Franciæ se subjugarent, et ad destructionem regni Angliæ in auxilium insisterent.
Note v. Omni qua (?)
Note w. Such is the reading of the MS., but there is reason for believing that it is an error for " Heselregg. " See, however, the extract from Fordun.
Note x. The MS. reads " plano. "