Synopses & Reviews
William Wallace of Elderslie, younger son of a country knight, came to fame through his active opposition to the aggressive imperialism of Englands King Edward I. From political and social obscurity he seized control of the reins of government and became the first leader of his people in a war of liberation against a far larger and richer enemyEnglandthat would last for more than 60 years. Historians have seen Wallace as a man of the common people, a man who built an army from the patriotic masses when the Scottish nobility sided with the English. In fact, Wallace was a member of the nobility himself and his army little removed from the ordinary military conventions of the day. Chris Brown cuts through the myths still perpetuated today to produce the first biography of Wallace driven by contemporary medieval records rather than Victorian legends to present an accurate portrait of the life and career of Scotlands greatest hero.
Synopsis
Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is one of history's greatest heroes, but also one of its greatest enigmas - a shadowy figure whose edges have been blurred by myth and legend. Even the date and place of his birth have been mis-stated - until now. James Mackay uses all his skills as a historical detective to produce this definitive biography, telling the incredible story of a man who, without wealth or noble birth, rose to become Guardian of Scotland. William Wallace, with superb generalship and tactical genius, led a country with no previous warlike tradition to triumph gloriously over the much larger, better-armed and better-trained English forces. Seven hundred years later, the heroism and betrayal, the valiant deeds and the dark atrocities, and the struggle of a small nation against a brutal and powerful empire, still create a compelling tale.
Synopsis
Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is one of history's greatest heroes, but also one of its greatest enigmasa shadowy figure whose edges have been blurred by myth and legend. James MacKay uses all his skills as a historical detective to produce this definitive biography, telling the incredible story of a man who, without wealth or noble birth, rose to become Guardian of Scotland. William Wallace, with superb generalship and tactical genius, led a country with no previous warlike tradition to triumph gloriously over the much larger, better-armed, and better-trained English forces. 700 years later, the heroism and betrayal, the valiant deeds and the dark atrocities, and the struggle of a small nation against a brutal and powerful empire, still create a compelling tale.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-277) and index.