|
||||||
|
THIS SECTION: A.D. 1260 to Norweigan Connection The Maid of Norway The emergence of Bruce William Wallace William Wallace Part 2 Battle of Stirling Bridge History Main Page Main Home Page Timeline Beginning to A.D. 350 A.D. 350 to 794 A.D. 795 to 1260 |
After Lanark - Part 2 of the story Wallace struck back at once in order to avenge his wife's death. Later that day (or night) he and his men infiltrated the town in ones and twos, then formed up for a surprise attack on the sheriff's castle, where Wallace slew Heselrig in his bed. Heselrig's son was also killed before Wallace and his men proceeded to carry out indiscriminate slaughter, cutting down every Englishmen in sight. English sources regarded the attack on Lanark Castle as the trigger for a general revolt against English domination. The 'official' rebellion, known today as the 'aristocratic' or 'noble' revolt, was being orchestrated by two former Guardians - James Stewart (the Steward) and the Bishop of Glasgow (Robert Wishart). It was also notable for the emergence of another Bruce. The young Earl of Carrick, whose father's request to be King has been overturned became part of the rebellion and was to feature more prominently in future years as "Robert the Bruce". This revolt soon fizzled out, however, in humiliating circumstances: an English force led by Sir Henry Percy and Sir Robert Clifford crossed the border early in July and surrounded the confederation of rebellious nobles and their followers camped at Irvine. After lengthy negotiations the Scots surrendered without a fight on 7 July 1297. However, the rebellion was far from over and much more significant was a rising in the north-east of Scotland, led by Andrew Murray (de Moray), son and heir of a leading baron of the Comyn family. Father and son had been captured at the Battle of Dunbar and imprisoned but the younger Murray escaped and made his way back to his father's castle at Avoch, in Ross-shire. Wallace was also busy dealing with William Ormesby at Scone, then turning to lay siege to the castle in Dundee. It was here that he heard of the invasion Castle and sent word to Andrew Murray in Inverness to come and join him. The rebel forces met up at Perth and together the two young generals led their troops to Stirling and to the Battle of Stirling Bridge. |
|
|
|