MCI wants to celebrate the life of a very famous Scot, William Wallace. He died this day in history 1305.
Most people will know him as the hero from the film Braveheart. Contrary to the film though, he was a well educated man who went to a monastery school. He could speak a few different languages and had a love of luxurious clothes.
What he is most famous for is being a leading figure in the First War of Scottish Independence. He started by leading an attack on Lanark where he killed the Sheriff of Lanark. He then went on to raid the city of Scone in Perthshire which resulted in him gaining control of the city. Slowly, Wallace was capturing land for Scotland. His biggest victory was at the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297).
There are lots of stories of his daring escapades, some recounted by a man known as ‘Blind Harry’ . Perhaps as his name suggests, the stories have been found out to be only loosely based on the truth. Stirling is not far from MCI’s home town. The next battle takes us right to the heart of MCI’s home – Falkirk. The Battle of Falkirk in 1298, was where William Wallace’s luck ran out with a stunning defeat. It wasn’t until 1305 that William Wallace was caught by the English near Glasgow. He was then taken to London and executed as a traitor.
Whether you see him as a hero or traitor, William Wallace remains a prominent part of Scottish history. You can visit many statues and monuments around Scotland that have been put up in his memory. The most famous is in Stirling – the Wallace monument.
Have a great weekend everyone!