‘Not Servile and Conquered, but Free and Independent’: Commemorating William Wallace and Robert the Bruce

William Wallace is one of Scotland’s most enduring national heroes. Since the 1470s and the first appearance of Blind Harry’s epic poem, The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace, Wallace has occupied a central place in the collective memory of the Scots, a position he continues to hold, thanks in part to the enormous success of the 1995 film Braveheart. One of the reasons for Wallace’s enduring appeal is the simplicity of his story. Born as a commoner, urged on by his love of liberty and need to free Scotland from the chains and slavery of an oppressive neighbour, Wallace rose through the ranks of society to become Guardian of Scotland. He went on to lead the Scots to victory over the armies of the tyrannical English king, Edward I, at Stirling Bridge. Whilst attempting to place Scotland’s hard-fought independence on a more secure footing, Wallace was defeated, betrayed, and taken to London for trial and execution. In essence, this was the hero’s journey: from relatively lowly stock to victory, martyrdom, and permanent, illustrious memory.