1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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