Scottish quote of the day: William Wallace’s statement at his trial on 23 August, 1305

Thanks to the popular film Braveheart, it’s difficult to know what William Wallace truly said, and what Hollywood decided he said.

Thankfully, this patriotically defiant extract from a statement at his trial, following capture in Robroyston, was taken from the book ‘Lives of Scottish Worthies’ by Patrick Fraser Tytler, published in 1831.

Wallace had famously won the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, but lost the Battle of Falkirk the following year.

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He evaded capture by the English armies of King Edward until 1305, when he was caught and tried for treason.

“I can not be a traitor, for I owe him no allegiance. He is not my Sovereign; he never received my homage; and whilst life is in this persecuted body, he never shall receive it. To the other points whereof I am accused, I freely confess them all. As Governor of my country I have been an enemy to its enemies; I have slain the English; I have mortally opposed the English King; I have stormed and taken the towns and castles which he unjustly claimed as his own. If I or my soldiers have plundered or done injury to the houses or ministers of religion, I repent me of my sin; but it is not of Edward of England I shall ask pardon.”