William Wallace was a Scottish knight and national hero who led Scotland’s fight for independence from English rule in the late 13th century. Born around 1270, he became famous for his role as a military leader during the First War of Scottish Independence. Wallace’s most notable victory was at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, where his smaller Scottish force defeated a much larger English army using clever tactics. He was appointed Guardian of Scotland, effectively ruling in the name of the absent king. However, he was defeated at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and continued guerrilla resistance until his capture in 1305. Wallace was taken to London, tried for treason, and brutally executed. He is remembered as a symbol of Scottish bravery, freedom, and resistance, inspiring generations and becoming a key figure in Scottish national identity.
