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

How did Wallace become Guardian? How did Wallace manage to impose his will on Scotland? 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 He had the support of the Church

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