William Wallace

William was born in January 1272[but there is some debate about this], in the Scottish town Elerslie.[ Now called Elderslie.] The Scotland that Wallace was brought up in was wealthy and it also had the powerful King Alexander II. Around the time of William’s birth King Edward I of England was crowned. King Edward’s nickname was Longshanks because he was above average height. Longshanks would prove to be Wallace’s greatest enemy.

Wallace also grew to be a big and powerful man. He reached a height of 6 foot 7 inches and had a powerful body. At a time when handling a sword well was important for a leader , strength, endurance and courage were also admired . Wallace’s size helped him gain support at an early age. However it wasn’t just Wallace’s strength that made him a leader he also was well educated. He got his education while staying with an uncle in a church while his father and older brother fought in the revolt called the ’the revolt of the Turnberry Band’. At this church William got his passion and love for Liberty which would become his basis for his extraordinary life which would make him a national hero.

The Legacy Starts

By the time Wallace was around 19 Scotland was turning into a state of civil war. Rival families were turning against each other and the rival-towns were also starting to quarrel. The English were also meddling in the affairs of Scotland. It was around this time that the English ambushed his father at Loudoun hill. This was the start of Wallace’s personal hatred of the English. His mother was devastated and his older brother was now head of the family. Around this time William drew his sword in anger for the first time. He also learned that his father’s killer was called Fenwick.

By this time Dundee castle was well under English control. It was currently owned by Brian Fitz-alan of Bedale. In charge of the castle’s upkeep was a constable called Selby. Selby had a son who was hot-headed so one day when he saw Wallace he along with some friends tried to push Wallace around. Wallace’s response was quick and deadly sticking his blade through young Selby’s neck. After fighting the rest off he escaped to his Uncle’s house and he was hidden by the house-keeper as a old woman spinning and weaving. It worked, the English ran straight past the house. Later that day the English proclaimed that if the murderer was not found then the town of Dundee would be burned to the ground. Quickly Wallace travelled back to his mother and planned to escape the English.