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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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William Wallace
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(c.1270–1305) Scottish hero who frustrated the first attempt of *Edward I to overrun Scotland. His great victory was at *Stirling Bridge in 1297. He then briefly administered Scotland on behalf of John de *Balliol (a prisoner in the Tower of London), becoming known at this point as Sir William Wallace – though it is not clear by whom he had been knighted. Edward himself moved north to Scotland in 1298 and defeated Wallace near *Falkirk in July, after which Wallace's power gradually waned. He was eventually captured, in 1305; he owed no allegiance to the English king, but he was declared a traitor and was hanged, drawn and quartered in London. His four fragments were displayed in northern strongholds held by the English – Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth. But the resistance which he had inaugurated was continued by *Robert the Bruce.
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