Braveheart: William Wallace by Eliza Knight
A version of this post was originally published at The World of the Blue Bells Trilogy.
Many years ago, tired of the oppression upon his country, a
man rose up from the shadows, one without a well-known name, seemingly from
nowhere, and led his country in the Scottish Wars for Independence. That man,
is now a household name: Sir William Wallace, aka Braveheart.
There is not much known of Wallace and his earlier days. It is thought that he
grew up in a family of means—they were landholders. Wallace would have been
exposed to the sort of education that a lower gentry family would have. He’d
have trained with a sword as well, which also explains why he was so great with
wielding one—comes with practice.
No one is sure of his parentage, other than his father was either Alan or
Malcolm Wallace and his birthdate is unknown; however it is believed he was in
his twenties when he died.
Through William’s early childhood years, Scotland was ruled by King Alexander
III, and was relatively peaceful. However, with the King’s death in 1286,
Scotland was thrown into turmoil. King Alexander’s heir was a young girl who
passed on her way to Scotland to sit upon her throne. In stepped King Edward of
England, better known as Longshanks. Brutality was about to begin as the
English king sought to take control of the country and weed the Scots from
their own lands.
It is my guess that William was between the ages of 6 and 10 at this time, old
enough to witness the new brutality and to remember a time when Scotland was
ruled by its own people.
At some point, Wallace joined up with Andrew Moray, another
leader in the war, declaring his intentions to help lead the country to
freedom. There is some speculation about his reason behind joining the revolt,
and a legend that whispers from one shore to the next of a wife or love of his
that was murdered by the English. There is no proof of this, but I like to
believe it because it’s romantic and softens the brutality of war, heightens
our beliefs in the violence that must be unleashed.
What is more likely, is that William Wallace was devoted to his country. He
remembered growing up in peace and wished for any children he might have to
live the same way. He wanted the English king out. He wanted a Scots king in.
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| Stirling Bridge |
His first act against the English was in May 1297 when he
executed the High Sheriff of Lanark. My novel, The
Highlander’s Reward (Stolen
Bride Series) begins in September 1297 on the eve of the Battle at Stirling
Bridge. Wallace would have been between 17 and 22 at the time. I’m leaning more
toward the latter, which puts him at 29 at his death. My reasoning behind this
is that he would have been a more seasoned warrior, more capable at age 22
rather than 17 to take on a leading role. (*Of note: most portrait
depictions of Wallace put him much older, which is misleading—the portraits
were also done years after his death.)Wallace is described by contemporary
accounts as being a rather giant of a man—perhaps 6’5 or 6’6 and well-muscled.
It is probable that prior to the Scottish Wars for Independence that he had
some military experience, but none are recorded. He and Moray were victorious,
however Moray died sometime later of the wounds he sustained. My hero, Magnus
Sutherland, was instrumental in helping the Scots to win this battle, and it’s
the first time he meets Wallace, but not the last. In fact, Wallace will play a
part in each book in the Stolen Bride series.
Prior to Moray’s death, he and Wallace were named the Guardians of Scotland. By
the end of 1297 early 1298, William Wallace was knighted by one of the leading
Scottish earls, Lennox, Carrick or Strathearn. These earls also play a part in
my series, and in the second book, The
Highlander’s Conquest, the earls and Wallace make a visit to Dunrobin,
the seat of my hero’s from both books family, and an earldom is bestowed upon
them.
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| William Wallace's Trial |
In 1298, Wallace lost the Battle of Falkirk against the
English, but did not allow that to deter him. He gave over his guardianship of
Scotland to Robert the Bruce, putting his full support behind the Bruce, but
continued to play a part in the war for freedom.
Unfortunately, Wallace would not live to see his dream of
freedom realized. He was caught and subsequently executed by the English in
1305—his charge, treason against the crown. While he did not live to see it,
the dream lived on and freedom reigned in 1328…until the next war.
THE HIGHLANDER’S REWARD
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She belonged to another… But was destined to be his…
Lady Arbella de Mowbray abhors the idea of marrying an English noble occupying
Scotland. When she arrives in Stirling, she is thrown into the midst of a full
battle between the Scots and the English. Besieged by rebels, she is whisked
from her horse by a Highland warrior who promises her safety. But when he
kisses her she fears she's more in danger of losing herself.
The last thing Magnus Sutherland wants is to marry the beautiful English lass
he saved. As the laird of his clan, he has a responsibility to his clan and
allies. But when Arbella is attacked by one of his own men, he determines the
only way to keep her safe is to make her his. A decision that promises to be
extremely satisfying.
Magnus brings Arbella to his home of Dunrobin Castle in the
Highlands. And that’s where the trouble begins… Their countries are at war and
they should be each other’s enemy. Neither one considered their mock marriage
would grow into a deeply passionate love. What’s more, they were both unhappily
betrothed and those who've been scorned are out for revenge. Can their new
found love keep them together or will their enemies tear them apart?
THE HIGHLANDER'S CONQUEST, Book Two:
The Stolen Bride Series
What is a Highlander to do when he falls for the daughter of
his enemy?
Highland warrior, Blane Sutherland, has
one mission: disguise himself as an Englishman, cross the border and retrieve
Lady Aliah de Mowbray. Always up for a challenge, he agrees, pursuing his
conquest with vigor—and trying to deny the powerful desire that eclipses him
each time he touches his charge. A rogue of the highest order and a younger
son, he has nothing to offer a lady but a broken heart.
And what is a lady to do when she cannot trust her heart?
Aliah is skeptical of the English noble
who has come to take her to her father and sister in Scotland, but she pushes
her doubts aside. Without word in months, she must make certain her family is
safe, then she can return to England to join the convent to which she has sworn
to pledge her life. But then her escort reveals his true self—he’s a Highlander
and his kisses are more seductive than the sweetest of wines.
Surrender never tasted so sweet…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eliza Knight is the multi-published author of sizzling historical romance and
erotic romance. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book,
she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a
thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the
stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She
lives atop a small mountain, and enjoys cold winter nights when she can curl up
in front of a roaring fire with her own knight in shining armor. Visit Eliza at
www.elizaknight.com or her historical blog History Undressed: www.historyundressed.com Twitter:
@ElizaKnight and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizaknightauthor
And was it true he was betrayed? and that the manner of his death was the gruesome one handed out to traitors including drawn and quartering.
ReplyDeleteI've read differing versions of that.
What an interesting story about William Wallace, Eliza. Thanks for including it here.