Action at Lanark
Encyclopedia
William Wallace
led a rebellion of the Scots in 1297.
The first act which is definitely known to have been carried out by him was his killing of William Heselrig, the English Sheriff
of Lanark
, in May 1297. At the time this was not an isolated incident, but he was joining in with risings taking place across Scotland.
Not much is definitely known about this incident. The best account comes from the Scalacronica
by Thomas Grey
, whose father, also called Thomas Grey, was present. A fracas broke out at a court being held by Heselrig, which Wallace escaped from. He then came back with some supporters and attacked Heselrig and his men, killed Helselrig, nearly killed Thomas Grey senior, and set fire to some houses. Wallace then continued with his rebellion, which culminated in his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge
four months later.
It is unclear what Wallace's background was prior to this incident at Lanark, what he was doing at Heselrig's court, and whether this was a spontaneous incident or if it was co-ordinated with other risings in Scotland.
According to the poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace
, written by Blind Harry
, Wallace was seeking revenge for the killing by Heselrig of his wife, Marion Braidfute of Lamington
. However, there is little evidence for her existence. Harry also claims that Wallace then dismembered Heselrig's body
A fictionalised version of this incident appeared in the film Braveheart
, where Wallace's wife was called Murron MacClannough.
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
led a rebellion of the Scots in 1297.
The first act which is definitely known to have been carried out by him was his killing of William Heselrig, the English Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Lanark
Lanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
, in May 1297. At the time this was not an isolated incident, but he was joining in with risings taking place across Scotland.
Not much is definitely known about this incident. The best account comes from the Scalacronica
Scalacronica
Scalacronica is a Scottish chronicle written in Anglo-Norman by the knight Sir Thomas Gray of Heaton in Northumberland, while he was imprisoned by the Scots at Edinburgh after an ambush in 1355...
by Thomas Grey
Thomas Grey (chronicler)
Sir Thomas Grey of Heton , Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, was an English chronicler.-Family:He was a son of the Sir Thomas de Grey of Heaton , who was taken prisoner by the Scots at Bannockburn, and his wife Agnes Sir Thomas Grey of Heton (near Norham), Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland,...
, whose father, also called Thomas Grey, was present. A fracas broke out at a court being held by Heselrig, which Wallace escaped from. He then came back with some supporters and attacked Heselrig and his men, killed Helselrig, nearly killed Thomas Grey senior, and set fire to some houses. Wallace then continued with his rebellion, which culminated in his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge
Battle of Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated the combined English forces of John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey and Hugh de Cressingham near Stirling, on the River Forth.-The main...
four months later.
It is unclear what Wallace's background was prior to this incident at Lanark, what he was doing at Heselrig's court, and whether this was a spontaneous incident or if it was co-ordinated with other risings in Scotland.
According to the poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace
The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace
The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace, also known as The Wallace, is a long "romantic biographical" poem by the fifteenth century Scottish makar of the name Blind Harry probably at some time in the decade before 1488...
, written by Blind Harry
Blind Harry
Blind Harry , also known as Harry, Hary or Henry the Minstrel, is renowned as the author of The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace, also known as The Wallace...
, Wallace was seeking revenge for the killing by Heselrig of his wife, Marion Braidfute of Lamington
Lamington, South Lanarkshire
Lamington is a conservation village in South Lanarkshire in Scotland, roughly between Biggar and Lanark.It is reputed to be the home of Marion Braidfute, legendary wife of William Wallace.-External links:*...
. However, there is little evidence for her existence. Harry also claims that Wallace then dismembered Heselrig's body
A fictionalised version of this incident appeared in the film Braveheart
Braveheart
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical drama war film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. The film was written for the screen and then novelized by Randall Wallace...
, where Wallace's wife was called Murron MacClannough.