SIR WILLIAM WALLACE.
Born 1276.—Died 1305.—Henry III.—Edward I.
A brave Scottish warrior who resisted the English under Edward I. He gained a great victory over the English near Stirling, and for several years kept the English at bay. He was, however, at length defeated, betrayed and sent to London, and beheaded in 1305.
EDWARD I.
Reigned 1272–1307.
Son of Henry III. Married (1) Eleanor of Castile and (2) Margaret of France. Annexed Wales to England. Began the conquest of Scotland, and removed the block of marble on which the Scottish kings were crowned, from Scone (now in Westminster Abbey). The nobles, asserting the privileges of the Great Charter, began to assemble and act in this reign as the first House of Lords; and by creating “Barons by writ” Edward broke in upon the monopolies of the nobles, and laid the foundations of the House of Commons.
ROBERT BRUCE,
Born 1274.—Died 1320.—Edward I.—Edward II.
Who had been educated in King Edward I.’s household, succeeded Wallace as leader of the Scots against Edward I. Having slain his rival claimant the Red Comyn in the Grey Friars Church at Dumfries, Bruce borrowed robes, chain, and gold rim from some saint’s image, and had himself crowned King of Scotland at Scone. After the most romantic escapes and adventures, and retaking all the castles Edward I. had gained, except Stirling, Bruce defeated Edward II. at the great battle of Bannockburn, not far from Stirling, and freed Scotland from the English yoke.