On Thursday the 18th of September 2014 the Scottish people will vote on whether they will remain within the United Kingdom or to strike out as an independent state. This vote will be another landmark in Anglo-Scottish relations which stretches far back through history. Both unionists and separatists have been and will be calling on the shared and individual histories of Britain and Scotland to bolster their cases. One thing is for certain, many Scots will be looking to their past to help determine their future.
In 1603 Queen Elizabeth I of England passed away leaving no direct descendant. Catholics across the British Isles, and the world, rejoiced as the crown would fall to her nephew James VI of Scotland whose mother had been such a beacon to those opposed to English Protestantism. James wasn't, however, the catholic regent his mother had been and his rule built on the protestant proselytising of his English cousins as his coronation as King James I of England brought Scotland and England together in a union of crowns. This was not the first attempt at union and it would not be the last.
Though they shared a monarchy Scotland and England remained separate political states for the remainder of the 17th century. Only Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell was unable to unify the Island to the east of Ireland under a single political roof, a result which was not bought cheaply. It was political and financial pragmatism which finally achieved what no one before could, true political union between England and Scotland. In 1706 the Union with Scotland Act was passed by Westminster and the following year the Union with England Act was passed by the parliament of Scotland.
Though this union has lasted for over three centuries the unique cultural heritage of Scotland, its language, traditions, and history has always separated the Scots from their southern cousins. Key to this proud independent identity has always been Scotland's defiance and eventual victory during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Today Scotland stands on the international stage and sings proudly of Robert the Bruce's victory at Bannockburn. Defiant heroes like 'Bonnie Prince' Charlie and Rob Roy hold similar places of honour in Scottish memory.
One of the key figures in this hall of heroes is William Wallace. Little is actually known about Wallace's background and early years. Even as he rose to prominence as one of the key figures in Scotland's resistance to the occupation of the English under King Edward I, Longshanks, Wallace remained a figure shrouded in obscurity. What we do know about Wallace is that in 1297 he was involved in the killing of the English High Sheriff of Lanark, William de Heselrig. It was no accident that Wallace began his open rebellion against the English 'occupation' in 1297 as this was when the rest of Scotland also began to rise up against Edward's occupation.
Wallace, along with Andrew de Moray, Wallace became the focal point and leading figure in the First War of Scottish Independence. As the Scottish continued their successes across Scotland the English became increasingly wary, especially of the exploits of Wallace and de Moray. After Wallace and his ally William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas, liberated the Scottish sacred site of Scone from the English this defiant resistance caught the attention of Edward and a force was dispatched to end this northern nuisance. While the main force sent to subdue Wallace and his allies was English, other Scottish lords were also called upon to serve Edward.
This proved to be a formative point in Scottish history as figures like Robert de Bruce chose to disobey these orders and side instead with Wallace and his fellow Scottish patriots. The lasting effect of this would overshadow Wallace's own exploits as de Bruce would go on to take the crown of Scotland at the end of the First War of Scottish Independence. Though England would again try to subjugate Scotland after Robert de Bruce's death the Scottish identity which had been built up by formed a focus around which resistance against the English coalesced. A key part of this Scottish identity was William Wallace and the rebellion he helped lead.
In 1297, even without their Scottish allies, the English force which marched against Wallace was powerful and Wallace and de Moray avoided confrontation as much as possible. Instead they relied on their familiarity with the terrain to engage the English in skirmishes where the lighter armour and unique formations advantaged the Scots against the heavier English soldiers and knights. This campaign of skirmishes and small engagements culminated in September of 1297 when the two forces met at Stirling Bridge in what would become an famous Scottish victory and a cornerstone in the legend of William Wallace.
In a perfect embodiment of Wallace's tactics the Scots used the advantages of terrain and tactics to negate English superiority of arms, very unchivalric behaviour altogether. Wallace allowed the English vanguard to cross the bridge before descending on them. With the boggy terrain around the river the more heavily armed English were disadvantaged and what little of their cavalry had crossed couldn't be properly brought to bear. The rest of the English cavalry, and a great deal of their foot soldiers, were bottled up on the old Stirling Bridge as the Scots forced the English who had crossed back like a stopper. The bridge eventually collapsed sending many armoured knights and soldiers to the waters bellow, the English force was firmly divided and soundly beaten.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge earned Wallace a knighthood and the title Guardian of Scotland. This victory, however, came at the cost of Andrew de Moray who died of wounds suffered during the battle. While Scotland rallied around Wallace as their now de facto ruler the loss of de Moray was sorely felt. In the wake of Stirling Bridge Wallace set about strengthening his own position and the position of Scotland. Key to this was his building up of a national identity. Until now Scotland had been, like most nations at the time, largely feudal with regional chiefs and lords being the keys to power. Soldiers would come with the lords they served as these lords answered, or failed to answer, the call of Scotland's king or queen.
Though Wallace didn't do away with this system he built up a national identity and tried to build a force which would owe it's alliance to Scotland herself and not those who, supposedly, served Scotland. For the remainder of 1297 Wallace furthered Scotland's fortunes as he tried to build back up her foreign ties and trade and led his force into England. This was the height of his power as he chased the fleeing English, raiding and looting as he went. Wallace had proved himself a formidable leader and a heroic leader of Scotland. 1298 wouldn't, however, be as favourable a year.
With peace signed between England and France in January 1298 Edward was able to turn his full attention north. With a large force Edward marched through Scotland securing castles and towns. The Scots avoided a pitched battle as their plan was to bleed the English first of coin and then of blood after the cost of war would force them to withdraw. While this tactic proved successful for a while, an open revolt in the English camp was only put down by their own cavalry, Edward was eventually able to bring the Scots to battle at Falkirk. With their Welsh longbowmen and superior cavalry the English were able to inflict a crushing defeat on Wallace who disappeared later that year, possibly to Europe to look for foreign aid.
Before he left, however, Wallace resigned his Guardianship of Scotland in favour of Robert de Bruce and John III Comyn, both of whom would be important figures in Scotland's struggle for independence. From the end of 1298 to 1304 Wallace was absent from Scotland and her wars with England, though some claim that Wallace's every moment away from Scotland was spent trying to secure aid for her struggle against Edward or fighting the English in Europe. This struggle didn't fare well for the Scots as Edward continued to conduct successful campaigns while Wallace remained abroad. In 1304 Edward laid siege to Stirling Castle, the last stronghold of Scottish resistance, and, after leaving the castle in ruins, he could almost claim Scotland was fully subdued.
Almost that is because a few Scots remained who openly defied English rule in Scotland. Among these was the recently returned William Wallace. Using his old tactics Wallace engaged the English in skirmish battles until in August 1305 he was captured by the English at Robroyston. After being transported to London he was charged with treason and many heinous crimes including indiscriminate targeting of the civilian population during war; he was also disparagingly crowned 'king of outlaws'. Wallace remained defiant claiming that it was impossible to have committed treason against a man who was never his king. Though he might never have screamed a dying 'Freedom!' William Wallace asserted Scottish independence to the very end. 
After his trial in August 1305 Wallace was dragged naked through London before being hanged till he was half dead, emasculated, his innards drawn out and burned before him, beheaded and then his body cut into four parts. His head was displayed on a pike over London Bridge while his limbs were sent to Stirling, Perth (Scotland), Newcastle, and Berwick-upon-Tweed. While this was meant as an act to quell the Scots it was unsuccessful and by the following year both kingdoms would be again at war. In the end Robert the Bruce would emerge as the king of an independent Scotland which would eventually join England as equal partners in the United Kingdom. Though it is unclear how vital William Wallace was to this eventual outcome, what is certain is that he has become a national hero of Scotland and symbol of Scottish nationalism.
This Sunday 'Talking History' will try to unwrap the mythology of William Wallace and find out who this man really was and what role he played in Scotland's history. Was he really the hero portrayed by Mel Gibson and Blind Harry? Or just an outlaw leader? Or is he both? Tune in at 7pm this Sunday to find out.
