1. Advanced Higher History Source Scottish Wars of Independence Blind Harry’s Wallace

2. The full name of the source is The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace Blind Harry was also known as harry or Henry the Minstrel Wallace is seen as the earliest lengthy source on the events of the life of William Wallace.

3. The source was written around 1477, 172 years after the death of Wallace in 1305. His poem is about Wallace’s defeat of the English Army at Dunnottar Castle. It also shows the strong anti- English feelings that were around at the time.

4. Harry claimed that it was based on a book by Fr. John Blair a childhood friend of Wallace. This may just have been a literary device of Blind harry. The source was the bases of the screenplay for the film Braveheart by Randall Wallace

5. The more original sources regarding Wallace seem to have more tradition. Most Historians today see Blind Harry’s Wallace as simply a history novel and not really fact. Blind Harry’s depiction of Wallace has been seen by Historians as nothing but fiction.

6. One website about Wallace states that: Whatever the verdict on BLIND HARRY, this is the book which has done more than any other to frame the notion of Scotland's national identity. Despite its numerous 'historical inaccuracies' it remains the principal source of what we know about the life of Wallace.

7. Many Historians believe that Harry's patriotic and nationalistic portrayal was to ensure Wallace's continuing reputation as a hero, and shows how he forever wanted Wallace to be seen as the hero of Scotland.