William Wallace is one of the most popular and famous heroes of Scotland. He was a commoner rather than a noble, and so little is known of his early life other than that which was recorded by "Blind Harry", a Scottish Minstrel who lived over 100 years after Wallace. However, it is thought that Wallace became an outlaw by killing several English soldiers after an incident involving fish. This occurred shortly after the death of the last Scottish king, during a period when Edward I was actively trying to bring Scotland under his control. Wallace evidently became the leader of a band of outlaws in the Scottish hills, and became notorious for his largely successful attacks on English holdings in Scotland. Meanwhile Edward sought to test the Scottish Barons loyalty by making more demands on them, including a request that they desert their long time French allies. As Edward's oppressions and heavy-handedness worsened, more disgruntled Scots, including several noblemen, joined his rebellion.
In the early years of Wallace's career, he was merely considered an outlaw, but after his rebellious activities gained the support of the nobles, including Sir Andrew Moray, and Sir William Douglas, as well as many others, the English sent an army against them. In spite of the defections of several of his nobles, Wallace led the Scots to a great victory at the William Wallace is one of the most popular and famous heroes of Scotland. He was a commoner rather than a noble, and so little is known of his early life other than that which was recorded by "Blind Harry", a Scottish Minstrel who lived over 100 years after Wallace. However, it is thought that Wallace became an outlaw by killing several English soldiers after an incident involving fish. This occurred shortly after the death of the last Scottish king, during a period when Edward I was actively trying to bring Scotland under his control. Wallace evidently became the leader of a band of outlaws in the Scottish hills, and became notorious for his largely successful attacks on English holdings in Scotland. Meanwhile Edward sought to test the Scottish Barons loyalty by making more demands on them, including a request that they desert their long time French allies. As Edward's oppressions and heavy-handedness worsened, more disgruntled Scots, including several noblemen, joined his rebellion.Battle of Stirling Bridge. This great victory gave Wallace the full attention of Edward I, and gained him even more supporters among the Scottish commoners. The nobles, however, wavered and when Edward I himself led an army into Scotland, most of his barons deserted him, or actually fought on Edward's side. The Scots therefore lost the Battle of Falkirk, and fell under the complete control of the English. Wallace himself escaped, and lived for several more years in the highlands before being captured, tortured, and killed as a traitor.
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