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LEARNING INTENTIONS
• Describe the role of Andrew Murray in leading Scottish resistance to English rule
• Describe the role of William Wallace in leading Scottish resistance to English rule
• Describe other examples of Scottish rebellion
After the abdication of John Balliol, King Edward took control of Scotland. As increased his power, more and more rebellion
occurred, notably led by Andrew Murray and William Wallace.
Edward sought increase his control of Scotland.
John de Warrene was made Lieutenant of Scotland and put
in charge of maintaining order.
English judges and sheriffs were appointed, many with no
knowledge of Scots law or an ability to speak the language.
Hugh de Cressingham in particular was hated by many
in Scotland.
de Cressingham was to introduce an English style of
taxation, which was resented by people across the country.
Many refused to pay, until forced to do so.
A number of small Scottish rebellions broke out in
response to English rule.
In the Western Isles the McDougal and MacDonald
clans fought over control of the area (after the MacDonalds
were chosen by Edward as his representatives in the area).
Bishop Robert Wishart of Glasgow, the Earl of Carrick (Robert the Bruce) and James
Steward tried to launch a rebellion.
Edward had taken control of the south-west region from Bruce
and Steward, and given it to an English lord, Henry Percy.
Bruce, Bishop Wishart and Steward organised an army to
fight against the English.
However even before an English army was assembled, Lord Percy went with a small
group of soldiers to Irvine and challenged the Scots, who gave
up without a fight.
Some historians believe the rebellion was a gesture and that
Bruce withdrew because he learned Wallace wanted to
restore King John to the throne.
Wallace was said to be very angry when he learned about the
rebellion’s collapse and raided Bishop Wishart’s treasury.
Rebellions took place elsewhere in Scotland, notably
in the north led by Andrew Murray.
His family were strong supporters of King John Balliol. Murray had been
captured after the Battle of Dunbar but managed to
escape.
After Murray’s escape he returned north to find his father’s lands under
English control.
Murray attacked a series of locations, starting at
Urquhart Castle, which he took control of at the
second attempt.
Murray’s cousin, the Earl of Buchan, was told to capture him but claimed he could not (although Edward believed he
had not tried).
During 1297, Murray took control of various castles including Inverness and
Aberdeen. He then travelled to Dundee.
William Wallace is arguably most famous nowadays because of Braveheart. However it was
another piece of art which helped create his legend.
Fifteenth-century poet Blind Harry’s poem, ‘The Wallace’
described much of the story which is now well known.
Historians are divided on the full accuracy of Blind Harry’s
poem, including whether Wallace had a wife and if she
was murdered or not.
The poem is a major part of Wallace history because so
little is known of his early life.
Wallace was born sometime in the 1270s, most likely in Elderslie near Glasgow
(although some place claim Ellerslie in Ayrshire).
Wallace’s family were small-scale landowners. Some claim his father was Alan Wallace,
who signed the Ragman’s Rolls.
Wallace certainly became a prominent outlaw after he
killed William Heselrig, the Sheriff of Lanark in May 1297.
Wallace began to attract an army of followers who engaged in small-scale attacks on the
English, with support from some Scottish nobles.
Some historians claim that the English army could have
captured Wallace but were distracted by events at Irvine.
This leads to claims that Wallace was always working
with more powerful Scottish forces and men.
Ultimately Wallace headed north towards Dundee, where
he laid siege to English-controlled Dundee Castle. He
was then joined by Andrew Murray.
Both armies marched to Perth and then on to Stirling, to
meet the English forces.Dudhope Castle, home to the Scrymgeour family built on
lands gifted by William Wallace after Dundee’s siege
