William Wallace and Robert the Bruce

William Wallace and Robert the Bruce were the two main Scottish leaders in the fight for Scottish freedom. They fought against Edward I and later, his son Edward II, in the Wars of Independence. William Wallace was the first leader. He was from the south of Scotland. His family had lived in the country for more than a century. The name ‘Wallace' means ‘Welshman' or 'Colt'. It was spelt Waleys or Walays before it was better known as Wallace.

Wallace and his brother Malcolm had refused to sign the Ragman's roll and both resented having a foreign overlord. Wallace, however, was the only brother who took action against the English.

In May 1297, William Wallace killed the English Sheriff of Clydesdale and set about gathering around him all those in the south of Scotland who wished to resist the domination of the English. By joining forces in the summer with Andrew de Moray who was raising men in the north, from his father’s lands in the Black Isle and around Nairn, the rebellion swept through Scotland.

The stage was set for the Battle of Stirling Bridge, between Wallace and Moray and the English Governor of Scotland, Guy de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey and his Deputy the hated Hugh de Cressingham.  Below is an account of the battle written by Alasdair MacLeod, a thirteen-year-old pupil at Fortrose Academy. (Inserts scanned account.)

Now the English King, Edward I, determined to teach the rebellious Scots a lesson. William Wallace had shown himself to be a wily leader but he could be no match for the powerful and mighty Edward.  A huge army marched north to Falkirk in 1298 to send terror into the hearts of the Scots.  In spite of Wallace’s novel plan to use his spearmen in a defensive formation known as a schiltron the Scots army was defeated. Its cavalry led the flight from the field as the terrified men witnessed the arrival of the English.

Finally, in 1304 the English king captured Wallace. He was tried without jury and condemned without defence at Westminster Hall. Sentenced to die as a traitor, he was hung, drawn and quartered. Edward had hoped the Scots from this time would be too scared to continue to resist. He succeeded only in ensuring that the hero Wallace would never be forgotten. It was too late for Edward to keep control because the Scots had already been stirred up. They would wait for another leader.

The man who took up the gauntlet to fight for Scotland had fought against Wallace, on the English side at Stirling Bridge.  He was a typical medieval knight, well connected with lands in England and in Scotland.   His grandfather had been one of the serious claimants for the throne of Scotland after the death of the Maid of Norway.  After much agonising and weighing up of opportunities he was ready to take his chance.

In 1306 there was no true Scottish king and Edward was under the illusion that Scotland was peaceful once more.  However, in that year, although the Stone of Destiny was in Westminster, Sir Robert the Bruce crowned himself in Scone. Once more rebellion swept the land. Edward was furious!

Robert Bruce had been fighting an ongoing battle with the Red Comyn, so called because of his red hair, over who was to be the true king of Scotland. The men were fierce rivals and often-violent arguments had broken out between them. The two had decided to meet and talk sensibly to discuss the future of Scotland in Greyfriars Church. A fight broke out and the Red Comyn was killed. Bruce suddenly found himself carrying immense burdens; he was guilty of murder, sacrilege and treason. In a hurry he had himself crowned and when the English came after him he went into hiding. Nobody knows where he was all the time in the months that followed.  By now Edward I was a frail man and he died on the 7th of July 1807, just three miles North of the border. The 'Hammer of the Scots' was dead.

Edward had an heir, but his son was not interested in being a soldier-king and for a while the search was off. Things became easier for Bruce. He soon had every clan in Scotland on his side, through force or otherwise. He captured nearly every castle owned by the English and he began raiding his neighbour using guerrilla warfare until he had a big enough army to go to battle.

Now follows an investigation carried out by another thirteen-year-old pupil on the battle of Bannockburn.  He researched the events that led up to the battle, the battle itself and the consequences.  The investigation was to consider whether the Scots won the battle because of Bruce’s leadership and how important the battle was for the Scots.  (Insert the Battle of Bannockburn investigation.)