In Blind Harry’s telling, Wallace is seven feet tall. But legend also describes Wallace as a very tall man - who likely stood out during a time when the average male height was on the shorter side. He may have even once fought for the King of England, instead of against him, as a mercenary soldier. What made Wallace such an inspiring leader? It’s certainly possible that he had prior military experience. Many young Scottish men were inspired by Wallace’s actions - and quickly flocked to his side to fight under his banner. Instead, it was the assassination of an English High Sheriff in May 1297. Wikimedia Commons King Edward I of England invaded Scotland in 1296 and assumed power.īut Wallace’s first act of rebellion was not, as Braveheart suggests, defending the honor of his wife. To the horror of many Scots - including Wallace - he invaded the country and imposed himself as Scotland’s ruler. The English king, Edward I, took advantage of the instability. Scotland burst into a Game-of-Thrones-type jostle for power and the country threatened to teeter toward civil war. And then the heir, his granddaughter, died unexpectedly while she was en route to claim the throne. The Scottish King Alexander III died unexpectedly in 1286. The burning issue of Wallace’s day had to do with succession. So, if thirst for revenge didn’t set Wallace on his fatal course, then what did? To put it simply, politics. And some scholars have even questioned whether his wife actually existed. They were most likely not mowed down by the English.
However, it seems that Braveheart took great liberties in describing the deaths of his father, brother, and even his wife.
William Wallace was likely born between 12, the younger son of a Scottish landowner and knight. Wikimedia Commons William Wallace riding into battle.
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