The Legend, The Man


William Wallace is perhaps the greatest hero of the Scottish people.  His legend inspired 100,000 people to gather on June 24, 1861, 556 years after his death, at the opening ceremony of the 300-foot National Monument in Stirling that continues to honor his memory.

It was here Wallace once led a band of desperate and outnumbered Scots to a glorious victory over the English, at a time when the English throne was intent upon exterminating the Scottish people, and this is a part of history no Scot can forget!  William Wallace was born around the year 1267, in Elderslie, Renfrewshire [now Strathclyde] Scotland.

He was the second son born to Malcolm Wallace, a middle-class landowner who was educated and spoke three languages.  William Wallace was educated at Paisley Abbey by his uncle but little is known of his day-today life.  

This is a stained glass image of William Wallace inside the monument's tower.  Inside the spiraling monument, you can see and feel the time and incredible amount of work that went into this monument. It really is mind-boggling that such a thing was ever constructed, let along in 1869, and it took eight years construction.  The tower is 220 feet high and very steep, with close steps up to the top. On level one you can see the 5-foot sword of William Wallace.

 

 

It is said he was a tall man, standing six foot six inches tall, and that must be true, considering this sword of his was five foot in length!

 

Wallace at the age of twenty two, was a man with a cause, and on a mission!  It is believed he went to the Pope to plead for Scotland's freedom and, attempted to develop trade for his country, although wealth was of no interest to him. While Scottish noblemen around him were accepting land and titles from the English King, Wallace remained true his cause, even refusing the Crown of Scotland when it was offered to him.  Sir William Wallace had but one passion, Freedom and Honor for Scotland!

The music playing is Flower O' Scotland Scotland's unofficial national anthem. To read the words click the thistle below.

Scottish Thistle



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