William Wallace

c. 1270 – 23 August 1305

Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders of the First War of Scottish Independence against England. He won a famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and served as Guardian of Scotland before his defeat at Falkirk in 1298. Captured in 1305, he was executed in London and became an enduring symbol of Scottish resistance.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with William Wallace.

Life events

Born in Scotland, possibly at Elderslie
c. 1270

Wallace's exact birth date and birthplace are unrecorded; he is traditionally said to have been born around 1270, possibly at Elderslie in Renfrewshire.

Birth ?
Killed William Heselrig, the English Sheriff of Lanark
May 1297

Wallace attacked and killed the English sheriff of Lanark, an act that marked his emergence in the uprising against English rule.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Won the Battle of Stirling Bridge
11 September 1297

Wallace and Andrew Moray led Scottish forces to a decisive victory over a much larger English army at Stirling Bridge.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Led a raid into northern England
October 1297 – December 1297

Following Stirling Bridge, Wallace led Scottish forces on a large-scale raid into Northumberland and Cumberland.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Knighted and appointed Guardian of Scotland
c. 1298

Wallace was knighted and made Guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland, governing in the name of the deposed King John Balliol.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Defeated at the Battle of Falkirk
22 July 1298

Edward I's army defeated Wallace's forces at Falkirk, after which Wallace resigned the guardianship of Scotland.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Traveled to France to seek support for the Scottish cause
c. 1299

Wallace is recorded as having gone to the court of Philip IV of France to seek diplomatic support for Scottish independence.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Captured at Robroyston near Glasgow
5 August 1305

Wallace was seized by soldiers loyal to John de Menteith and handed over to the English.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Executed for treason at Smithfield, London
23 August 1305

After a show trial at Westminster Hall, Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓