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Sir William Wallace (c. 1270 – August 23, 1305) was a knight and Scottish patriot, who led a resistance against the English occupation of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He is considered to be the greatest hero in Scotland’s history.
Wallace was the inspiration for the poem, The Acts and Deeds of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Elderslie, by the 15th century minstrel, Blind Harry. The 1995 film Braveheart is based on the poem.
From the Book Of Days:
He was hung in a noose, and afterwards let down half-living; next his genitals were cut off and his bowels torn out and burned in a fire; then and not till then his head was cut off and his trunk cut into four pieces.
Matthew of Westminster, on William Wallace’s execution on August 23, 1305
… I would relate
How Wallace fought for Scotland; left the name
Of ‘Wallace’ to be found like a wild flower
All over his dear country; left the deeds
Of Wallace, like a family of ghosts
To people the steeps rocks and river banks
Her natural sanctuaries, with a local soul
Of independence and stern Liberty.
William Wordsworth, English poet