Gone Medieval – William Wallace, Scottish Rebel

Host: Matt Lewis
Guest: Dr. Fiona Watson
Date: September 5, 2025

Overview

This episode of Gone Medieval dives beyond the mythologized image of William Wallace, examining the history behind the famous Scottish rebel. Host Matt Lewis and medieval historian Dr. Fiona Watson explore who Wallace really was, his motivations, his victories and defeats, and his enduring legacy—distinct from Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart.” The discussion seeks to peel away the layers of legend and nationalist storytelling to reveal how much we truly know about Wallace, what he sought to achieve, and what his life and death meant for Scotland.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Separating Myth from Reality

• Braveheart’s Impact:

  • The film “Braveheart” is a touchstone but distorts much history. While Dr. Watson expresses some "huge gratitude" for how the 1995 premiere raised interest in Scottish history, she is quick to acknowledge that much of the portrayal is inaccurate ([04:21]).

    “I try not to think about Braveheart…but I am hugely grateful because I started as a young lecturer at Stirling University when Mel Gibson came…It did huge things for Scotland…The Wallace Monument, they had to build a new, bigger car park.”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([04:21])

2. Origin and Early Life

• Wallace’s Family:

  • Little documented evidence about Wallace’s background; even kings are poorly recorded.

  • Popular narrative (from Blind Harry’s 15th-century poem) is incorrect about his father.

  • 1980s discovery of Wallace’s personal seal identified his father as Alan Wallace.

  • Wallace's status: Not a peasant but a younger son of a royal tenant, likely of "yeoman" stock ([05:24–07:20]).

    “William Wallace…was never supposed to be famous, we were never supposed to have heard of him, is even harder. And then we got the huge layer of obfuscation…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([05:24])

3. The Murder at Lanark and Rising Rebellion

• Murder of Sheriff of Lanark (1297):

  • Wallace’s rebellion “explodes onto the scene” with the killing of William Hesilrig.

  • Motivations appear rooted more in anger at oppressive governance under Edward I than personal vengeance ([07:30–11:14]).

  • Dr. Watson emphasizes the English regime’s “heavy-handed” rule and extortionate demands, which alienated local leaders like Wallace.

    “He seriously objected to…the English takeover…But also…the way that English officials were managing the administration of Scotland...There was a lot of extortion perhaps going on…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([09:13])

4. Scottish Nobility and Internal Politics

• Role of the Nobility:
  • Stereotype that the Scottish nobility were “useless” is not justified; most supported resistance, but many were sidelined or imprisoned ([11:55]).
  • Wallace, not deeply involved in noble politics, is said to have been single-minded and not part of internal noble splits.
  • He is mentored by Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow, a key figure in the assertion of Scottish independence ([11:55–15:38]).

5. The Crucial Partnership: Wallace and Andrew Murray

• Andrew Murray:

  • Often overlooked, led northern rebellion in sync with Wallace.

  • The partnership led to the seminal Battle of Stirling Bridge ([15:38–19:33]).

    “You get these outbreaks of rebellion…all over the country…And this is exactly what happens…Andy Murray is a much more traditional leader of his father’s tenants…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([15:52])

6. Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)

• The Battle:

  • Wallace and Murray coordinate forces; battle plan described as “an ambush in plain sight” ([22:14]).

  • Scots took advantage of the terrain and English overconfidence.

  • The result was a stunning and humiliating defeat for the English, sending shockwaves through their leadership.

    “It was strategically very well thought out…It's the fact that the English do not think that's what the Scots should have done…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([22:14–25:31])

• Impact:

  • The first major defeat of the English in Scotland, feeding English desire for “vengeance,” and allowing Edward I to justify prolonged war ([25:31–26:49]).
  • Both Wallace and Murray equally deserved credit, but Murray’s death soon after deprived Scotland of a noble leader ([27:21–29:19]).

7. Wallace as Guardian and Raids into England

• Wallace as Sole Guardian:
  • Unusual for a non-noble; sign that Scotland had little choice ([31:12–35:39]).
  • Attacks into northern England—more about “getting supplies…and saying…Scotland's more trouble than you actually need right now” than conquest ([37:15–38:36]).

8. Downfall at the Battle of Falkirk (1298)

• Edward I’s Response:

  • English respond with scorched earth tactics and a large force.

  • Scots attempt to use strong defensive positions but are undone by English archers.

  • Common myth: Wallace lost due to incompetence. Dr. Watson argues his decision-making was sound given the circumstances; changing technology and tactics (archers) led to the disaster ([38:47–44:30]).

    “It’s not necessarily that the bowmen won Falkirk, but they certainly played an important part in negating the Scottish sensible tactic…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([44:01])

• Aftermath:

  • Wallace’s reputation declines with defeat; he resigns as Guardian ([44:30]).

9. Exile, Diplomacy, and Capture

• Wallace Abroad:
  • Travels to France; supported by Philip IV, recommended to the Pope. Seeks diplomatic solutions for Scotland.
  • Balliol (“King John”) remains titular king in exile; Wallace remains steadfast in seeking Scottish independence.
  • Ultimately, Wallace is excluded from peace negotiations, forced to go underground ([47:27–56:21]).
  • Betrayed and captured, largely because his continued resistance provided no respite for a war-weary Scotland.

10. Trial, Execution, and Immediate Legacy

• Show Trial in London:

  • Wallis charged with treason, “raising armies,” “calling Parliament,” and acting with no legal authority ([57:19]).

  • Wallace’s Defense:

    “You have no right to judge me, you have no jurisdiction over me, you have no right to Scotland.”
    —Fiona Watson paraphrasing Wallace ([57:19])

  • Brutal execution intended as a spectacle to deter further Scottish resistance.

• Impetus for Legend:

  • Wallace becomes a symbol “above Scottish politics”—someone not driven by family aggrandizement, but selfless patriotism.

    “Wallace symbolizes someone who doesn’t play those kind of games…He can genuinely be seen as a fairly selfless patriot, as far as we can tell.”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([59:11])

11. Long-term Legacy and Historical Perception

• Wallace and Bruce:
  • Early chroniclers and later traditions (and films) frame Wallace as a predecessor to Robert Bruce, though there’s little evidence for interaction.
• National Myth & Class Imagery:

  • Becomes a “working class hero,” appropriated by later generations as a symbol of the common people’s resistance, even if inaccurate in terms of his own status ([61:47–64:04]).

    “…he’s not a peasant. But…the fact…he’s not a nobleman…means he can be appropriated as a working class hero and he still is very, very much. He never sold out…”
    —Dr. Fiona Watson ([61:47])

12. Quick-fire Questions: The Braveheart Myths

• Did William Wallace ever wear a kilt?
  • “No.” ([65:07])
• Did he ever paint his face blue?
  • “No.” ([65:21])
• Who should portray an accurate Wallace?
  • “We'd have to search…for the schemes of Glasgow or Edinburgh or Dundee…and find a new face of William Wallace, because that would be exactly like him.” ([65:41])

Memorable Quotes

• “He seems to have not particularly cared, as far as we can tell, for noble politics…he’s quite single-minded about getting on with the job and not worrying about all this politics.”
  —Dr. Fiona Watson ([11:55])

• “You can paint him any way you like…he’s very easy to make into anything you want him to be, and he has been made into that. But I think at heart there is a fascinating and core story about someone who didn’t compromise, whom you wouldn’t have wanted to argue with…”
  —Dr. Fiona Watson ([61:47])

• “I think that's what we'd have to do…find a new face of William Wallace, because that would be exactly like him. He came from obscurity to greatness.”
  —Dr. Fiona Watson ([65:41])

Notable Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:21] — Gratitude (and critique) for Braveheart’s impact
• [07:30] — Wallace’s emergence and the murder at Lanark
• [15:38] — Andrew Murray’s role and partnership with Wallace
• [22:14] — The Battle of Stirling Bridge: “Ambush in plain sight”
• [27:21] — Aftermath of Stirling, death of Murray
• [31:12] — Wallace’s appointment as Guardian
• [38:47] — Lead-up to and defeat at Falkirk
• [47:39] — Wallace’s diplomatic mission in France
• [56:45] — Wallace’s sense of betrayal, forced departure from Scotland
• [57:19] — Trial and execution: “You have no right to judge me…”
• [61:47–64:19] — Wallace as myth, working class hero, and legacy
• [65:07–65:41] — Quick-fire mythbusting questions

Concluding Thoughts

The episode illuminates Wallace as both more enigmatic and more grounded than his Hollywood image. While the fog of myth allows for many interpretations—from folk hero to nationalist to selfless patriot—the genuine details show a man who was a product of his time, uniquely determined and uncompromising, whose legend endures precisely because we know so little for certain.

For more on Scotland’s medieval wars, listeners are encouraged to check out History Hit’s documentaries and previous Gone Medieval episodes, including a recent look at Edward I, “the Hammer of the Scots.”