William Wallace Death

William Wallace Death: What is the Reason Behind His Death?

Divya

Updated on:

Death

Sir William Wallace (Scottish Gaelic: Uilleam Uallas, pronounced [am uls]; Norman French: William le Waleys; c. 1270 – 23 August 1305) was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.

Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297. He was appointed Guardian of Scotland and served until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298.

Wallace was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, in August 1305, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason and crimes against English civilians.

When Was William Wallace’s Death

On August 23, 1305, William Wallace died.

William Wallace Death

Wallace was found guilty of treason and taken to the Tower of London, where his clothes were removed, he was tied to a hurdle, and horses dragged him through the streets. He was hung, drawn, and quartered at the end of it all.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Wallace’s bowels caught fire in front of him.

READ MORE:-

John Aniston Death: What Were the Medical Cause Behind His Death?

Taylor Hawkins Cause of Death: Why Did He Have an Enlarged Heart?

How Did William Wallace Die

  1. William Wallace was put on trial in London. This was mostly for show, and Wallace had no chance of winning his case.
  2.  Wallace was sentenced to death in one of the most agonizing ways imaginable after the court found him guilty of treason on August 23, 1305. Wallace was sentenced to be hung, drawn, and quartered. Wallace was led naked into Westminster Hall.
  3. Wallace was then tied to a hurdle and dragged six miles to Smoothfield by horses.
  4. As if this wasn’t bad enough, people watching the journey threw feces and garbage at the Scottish hero.
  5. He was also beaten with rods and whipped by the crowd as he passed by.
  6. As if Wallace’s situation wasn’t bad enough, he was also found guilty of robbery and murder, which meant he was sentenced to death by hanging. Wallace did not find peace while hanging by his neck from a rope – he was not allowed to die.
  7. The next stage of this sick process was the removal of William Wallace’s testicles and penis.
  8. His intestines were then removed and burned in front of him.

What Happened to William Wallace’s Body After His Death

Following William Wallace’s execution, his body was dismembered and displayed around the country to demonstrate what would happen to rebels and traitors to the King.

Wallace’s head was displayed on a pike on London Bridge.

Wallace’s limbs were sent to Berwick, Stirling, Perth, and Newcastle separately.

Two years later, the King of England died, and Scotland gained independence 14 years later.

William Wallace’s death was not in vain.

READ MORE:- Thomas H Lee Death: Who Confirmed the Death of Thomas?

Robert the Bruce honored Wallace’s memory by leading his people to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

What Led to the William Wallace Death

In 1305, Wallace dispatched one of his men to deliver a letter to Robert the Bruce.

Robert the Bruce had officially surrendered and was now awaiting the death of England’s elderly King before launching a new rebellion.

Wallace’s letter urged Bruce to resume his leadership of the country.

Wallace assured Bruce that he would face no opposition from the Scottish nobility or clergy.

Bruce was overjoyed and eager to meet Wallace near Glasgow at the end of June. Sir John Menteith, a Scotsman, learned of Wallace’s plans and betrayed him, selling information to the King of England in exchange for the sheriffship of Dumbarton.

William Wallace Death

Unfortunately, the reasons for Menteith’s betrayal are unknown. He may have been enraged by his uncle’s death at the Battle of Falkirk, in which Wallace took part, and blamed Wallace for his uncle’s death.

According to one story, a servant named Jack Short betrayed Wallace in order to obtain the King’s bounty. According to reports, the King of England offered £30 to any servant who spied on Wallace and provided information that led to his capture.