After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 Wallace resigned as Guardian He was made Guardian because of his victory at Stirling Noblemen did not like taking orders from the 2nd son of a knight Dec 1298 John Comyn and Robert Bruce replaced Wallace as ‘joint Guardians’

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 Scots became more determined to resist Continued to disobey Edward Guardians governed Scotland Had their own government officials and ruled as if John Balliol was still king Wrote letters ‘in the name of King John’

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 Scots decided to avoid battles Used guerrilla tactics Attacked English garrisons and burned fortifications Made English occupation forces feel under threat Recaptured many castles English garrison at Stirling was starved into submission

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 King Edward was too busy to concentrate on Scotland Fighting France Returned to Scotland few times between 1299-1303 Didn’t stay long enough to make a difference Most of the time Edward’s men only controlled south-east Scotland

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 King of France helped the Scots Auld Alliance Guardians sent envoys to the King of France Support of most powerful monarch in Europe was invaluable Helped them win the support of the Pope against Edward Philip wrote to Edward asking him to release Balliol King Philip wrote to Scots praising them Scots for .... their constancy to their king and their shining valour in defence of their native land against injustice.

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 Pope persuaded King Edward to release John Balliol June 1299 the Pope wrote to Edward condemning his actions July 1299 Balliol was released and handed over to French Scots hoped Balliol would return to Scotland as King

After the Battle of Falkirk 1298 - 1302 Wallace the diplomat Wallace travelled abroad Promoted the Scottish cause Visited Pope in Rome