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Here's an article from today's "The Herald" (Glasgow)
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New light shed on execution of William Wallace
RACHEL LOXTON
17 May 2011
WILLIAM Wallace was subjected to such a brutal execution because the English believed he aspired to be King of Scotland, new evidence suggests.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow found a written log which shows that, as far as the English were concerned, Wallace wanted to be king.
The newly discovered English source confirms a view suspected by historians: The reason that King Edward I dealt so harshly with Wallace was because he viewed him as a pretender to the Scottish crown.
Accounts of King Edward’s exchequer for the financial year 1304–1305, known as the “Pipe Roll”, describe Wallace as: “A robber, a public traitor, an outlaw, an enemy and rebel of the king, who in contempt of the king, throughout Scotland had falsely sought to call himself King of Scotland”.
Researcher Dr John Reuben Davies said the revelation was startling. He said: “It is the account for expenses incurred in the execution of William Wallace and for taking his quartered body to Scotland.
“The record shows quite vividly the extent to which English civil servants saw Wallace’s trial and execution as an extraordinary event, so exciting that they broke from their usual routine to note down the details in what would normally be a dull and dry record of income and expenditure.”
However, Mr Davies said the account should be treated with caution, adding: “Wallace was always scrupulous, in the very few documents issued in his name, to say that he acted on behalf of King John Balliol.
“The pipe roll may not be a credible source for the notion that Wallace actually sought to call himself King of Scotland.
“The accusation could, in fact, signify English incomprehension of Wallace’s role as Guardian of Scotland
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New light shed on execution of William Wallace
RACHEL LOXTON
17 May 2011
WILLIAM Wallace was subjected to such a brutal execution because the English believed he aspired to be King of Scotland, new evidence suggests.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow found a written log which shows that, as far as the English were concerned, Wallace wanted to be king.
The newly discovered English source confirms a view suspected by historians: The reason that King Edward I dealt so harshly with Wallace was because he viewed him as a pretender to the Scottish crown.
Accounts of King Edward’s exchequer for the financial year 1304–1305, known as the “Pipe Roll”, describe Wallace as: “A robber, a public traitor, an outlaw, an enemy and rebel of the king, who in contempt of the king, throughout Scotland had falsely sought to call himself King of Scotland”.
Researcher Dr John Reuben Davies said the revelation was startling. He said: “It is the account for expenses incurred in the execution of William Wallace and for taking his quartered body to Scotland.
“The record shows quite vividly the extent to which English civil servants saw Wallace’s trial and execution as an extraordinary event, so exciting that they broke from their usual routine to note down the details in what would normally be a dull and dry record of income and expenditure.”
However, Mr Davies said the account should be treated with caution, adding: “Wallace was always scrupulous, in the very few documents issued in his name, to say that he acted on behalf of King John Balliol.
“The pipe roll may not be a credible source for the notion that Wallace actually sought to call himself King of Scotland.
“The accusation could, in fact, signify English incomprehension of Wallace’s role as Guardian of Scotland
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