While a teenaged
William received his education in the church, his father and older brother
were on the run from the English. Sir Malcolm refused to swear allegiance
to King Edward (Longshanks) as Scottish landowners were required to do.
Civil conflict continued to heat up in Scotland, and in 1291, Sir Malcolm
was killed a battle at Loudoun Hill. The death of his father marked the
beginning of William's true hatred of the English.
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Combined with an
education in the principals of liberty and the rights of the individual,
William's personal grudge against the English became a crusade when his
sweetheart was killed by an English sheriff. William retaliated, killing
the sheriff, and thus became an outlaw in his own country. From then on,
William Wallace was leader of the Scottish fight for independence.
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By 1297, Wallace
controlled much of Scotland. His battles were the stuff of legends.
Although outnumbered, his army was able to defeat the English army at
Stirling Bridge, using strategy and intimidation. This victory drove the
English out of Scotland.
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Longshanks took six
years to reclaim Scotland from the resistance, and in 1305, William
Wallace was captured and taken to trial in London, where he was convicted
of treason and brutally executed.
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William Wallace's life
was dramatized in the 1995 film 'Braveheart'.
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Since tales of
Wallace's life are based on legends centuries old, the film was largely
inspired by his life, rather than completely true to his experience.
However, the Wallace Clan, including Clan Cheif Seoras Wallace shared
their knowledge of their ancestor with screenwriter Randall Wallace, and
acted as technical advisors during the filming. Sources included diaries
passed down through the generations, and battles portrayed in the movie
were historically correct.
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Quote from Wallace's fight speech in
the movie:
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Aye, fight and you may die.
Run, and you'll live... at least a while.
And dying in your beds many years from now,
would you be willing to trade all the days,
from this day to that,
for one chance,
just one chance,
to come back here and tell our enemies
that they may take our lives,
but they'll never take our FREEDOM!!!
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Scots Wha Hae
by Robert Burns
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Scots, wha hae wi Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victorie!
Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor-knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!
Wha for Scotland's king and law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or freeman fa'
Let him follow me!
By oppression's woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in ev'ry foe!
Liberty's in ev'ry blow! -
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"I cannot be a traitor, since I never swore fealty to the English king."--
William Wallace, defending himself against charges of treason.
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