Wallace: Guardian of Scotland

After the Battle of Stirling Bridge Wallace and Murray (Moray) had won a great victory Murray died shortly afterwards Nov 1297 Wallace would now have to govern Scotland

How/Why did Wallace become Guardian? Common people supported him Nobles were powerless without support of common people Acted as a middle man between divided nobles Acted in King John’s name but he had family links with the Bruces Had support of the Church – Bishop Lamberton, the Bishop of St Andrews (took over after Bishop Fraser died)

Wallace was knighted March 1298 at Ettrick Forest by a prominent man of the Scottish race Possibly Robert Bruce? Wallace then called himself: William Wallace, Knight, Guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland and Commander of its Armies

Wallace’s job as Guardian Rebuild Trade In 1297 he wrote a letter to the mayor of Lubeck (Germany) Invited German merchants to begin trading directly with Scotland Needed to buy iron for weapons

Wallace’s job as Guardian Scottish Army New Army was needed Edward was sure to challenge after his defeat at Stirling Bridge Many nobles would not join and fight as knights

A battle was then fought, on the 11th of Source B is from the Chronicle of John of Fordun (a Scottish account) written in the second half of the 14th century. It describes the Battle of Stirling Bridge. A battle was then fought, on the 11th of September, near Stirling. The English army was beaten, some of them were killed with the sword, others taken, others drowned in the waters. But through God, they were all overcome and Wallace gained a happy victory, with lots of praise. Of the nobles, on his side, the noble Andrew of Moray, fell wounded. Assess the usefulness of Source B as evidence of the Scots victory at Stirling Bridge? (5)