91�ȱ�

Historians have presumed that Wallace was the son of Sir Malcolm Wallace of Elderslie and was born in Ayrshire. The basis for this was a poem written 150 years after the time of Wallace by a minstrel called Blind Harry. Examination of the seal which was sent on a letter to Lubeck after the battle of Stirling Bridge named Wallace’s real father as Allan Wallace, a royal tenant living in Ayrshire at that time.

Students could complete a biography of William Wallace and use the clip as a stimulus to consider if other historical ‘facts’ could be incorrect. Archaeologists must use the artefacts they have carefully. Can all historical artefacts be trusted? Students could create a list of artefacts which may or may not be trusted. Useful as a stimulus to further research William Wallace and his significance for the Scottish Wars of Independence.