William Wallace

William Wallace is the hero of scottish history. He represents scottish nationalism, for even though there have been many fighters for independence, it was William Wallace who never once gave in to the english.

He became an outlaw early on when he killed the overbearing son of an english constable.He was driven by a fierce love of liberty for his suffering country and the dedication to the idea of independce. He was inspired by the latin precept (translation) I tell you truly liberty is the best of things" His wife was killed when he was visiting her one day. His daughter is said to have survived though. He fought and won many battles, and he brought the clans together to fight. He was knighted and gained the title of sole gaudian of scotland and leader of its armies. He was the fighter for the people, for it was the poor that loved him, not the nobles. He was executed when he was captured by the english. He swroe at trial he had never commited treason, because he hadnt sworn loyalty to the king.

The english king didnt want to create a martyr so he destroyed and dispersed wallace's body hoping it would be forgotten. Instead, because of the brutaily the poeple of scotland wanted to remember him.The people kept the story alive. There are places all around Scotland that have signs saying william wallace touched a rock or tree. There are constant retelling of stories.

cool fact: the referendum #1 that would ratify scottish parliament was held in 1997, 11 september, seven hundred years to the day since william's spectacular victory over the english army at stirling bridge in 1297.

I love the story of William Wallace. Whenever I watch braveheart I feel pride in my heart. I love the scene when the girl gives him a thistle when his family is being buried, and he looks at her with tears in his eyes. They fall in love when they are older, so romantic. Of course the english had to come along and kill her, but that is reality. I love the song the bagpipes play when they are saying goodbye to them "an outlawed tune on an outlawed pipe" it crushes my heart. The fact that the english decided to outlaw bagpiping is just ridiculous. They try to crush the scottish spirit, and the scots flare with the fire in their guts. Freedom, oh I wish scotland would look at itself and vote yes. There are so many people that died for freedom, and now they have a chance to gain it without bloodshed, dont they realize how much of a blessing that is?

Anyway, I love William Wallace, if you haven't seen braveheart then you've missed out, it is very near to the real story, the real big detail they left out was that he had a daughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6zGEBhJMHA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr_OpFxCx-A&feature=relmfu

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Braveheart quotes:

Young William: What are they doin'?
Argyle Wallace: Saying goodbye in their own way. Playing outlawed tunes on outlawed pipes.

William Wallace: It's all for nothing if you don't have freedom.

William Wallace: Lower your flags and march straight back to England, stopping at every home you pass by to beg forgiveness for a hundred years of theft, rape, and murder. Do that and your men shall live. Do it not, and every one of you will die today.

Princess Isabelle: I understand you have suffered. I know... about your woman.
William Wallace: [pauses] She was my wife. We married in secret because I would not share her with an English lord. They killed her to get to me. I've never spoken of it, I don't know why I tell you now, except... I see her strength in you. One day, you'll be a queen. And you must open your eyes. You tell your king that William Wallace will *not* be ruled... and nor will any Scot while I live.
(One thing the movie didnt mention, he had a daughter)

William Wallace: I *am* William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as free men... and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?
Veteran: Fight? Against that? No! We will run. And we will live.
William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!
[Scottish army cheers]
William Wallace: Alba gu bràth!
["Scotland forever!"]

William Wallace: Go back to England and tell them there that Scotland's daughters and her sons are yours no more. Tell them Scotland is free.

William Wallace: Every man dies, not every man really lives.

Robert the Bruce: Now, you've achieved more than anyone ever dreamed. But, fighting these odds, it looks like rage, not courage.
William Wallace: It's well beyond rage. Help me. In the name of Christ, help yourselves. Now is our chance. Now. If we join, we can win. If we win, well then we'll have what none of us has ever had before: a country of our own.

"After the beheading, William Wallace's body was torn to pieces. His head was set on London Bridge, his arms and legs sent to the four corners of Britain as a warning. It did not have the effect that Longshanks planned"

Royal Magistrate: The prisoner wishes to say a word.

William: FREEEEE-DOMMMMMM!!!!!