William Wallace and Scottish resistanceScottish resistance
William Wallace led the resistance to the English occupation winning the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. A year later, Edward I’s army defeated the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace was executed in 1305.
It did not take long for resistance to emerge against the English occupation of Scotland.
Sir Hugh de Cressingham, the new Treasurer of Scotland, appointed by Edward found it very difficult to raise taxes due to the lack of support from the Scottish people.
Warfare broke out between the MacDougall family who supported Edward and the MacDonalds in the Western Isles. At the same time a revolt by the Scottish nobles led by Robert Wishart, Robert Bruce and James Stewart broke out in the South West of Scotland.
Although the nobles quickly surrendered at Irvine in July 1297, the rebellions led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray were more successful.
