William Wallace, popularized in the 1995 movie "Braveheart", was a Scottish patriot and national hero. He was a fierce advocate for Scottish independence from the English, who had taken control shortly after the death of the 8-year old "Queen" Margaret, called the "Maid of Norway". Their rule was widely resented among the common people and, after many of the Scottish nobles defected to England, Wallace emerged as the leader of the various rebel groups trying to gain Scottish sovereignty. But how did a relatively unknown person rise to power so early in his life (Wallace was in his late teens when the English took control)? How was the son of a little-known Scottish noble able to defeat the English several times, against overwhelming odds?
Born in 1276, Wallace was the second son of Alan Wallace, crown tenant of Ayrshire. He probably had an easy childhood, as he was the son of a nobleman. The only descriptions on his early life are in the form of Scottish myths and legends. …
