After the death of Alexander III, what became known as ‘The Great Cause’ developed momentum as several noble families claimed and contended for the vacant throne. In 1293, Edward I of England judged that John Baliol had the strongest claim but he immediately began to manipulate the new king. When Baliol renounced his homage to Edward, the English immediately invaded and forced the King of Scots to abdicate in a humiliating ceremony where the royal arms were ripped off his surcoat. Edward is said to have commented, ‘A man does good business when he rids himself of a turd.’ In 1296, Andrew Moray led a rebellion in the north and he was soon joined by a force commanded by William Wallace, a minor nobleman from Ayrshire. His name is written as Le Waleis and may have denoted a family who spoke Old Welsh, the ancient tongue of Strathclyde. At Stirling Bridge, the allies scored a stunning victory in 1297. By allowing only part of a much larger English army to cross the narrow bridge before attacking them, they caused chaos. Retreating English soldiers were driven into the ranks of those behind, the bridge broke down and many drowned. After the battle, Wallace and Moray were proclaimed Guardians of Scotland but it seems that Moray died of his wounds soon afterwards. A year later, fortunes reversed as the English triumphed at Falkirk and Wallace spent seven years evading capture. But, in 1305, he was betrayed and taken to London to suffer the appalling agonies of a traitor’s death. Having been dragged naked through the streets, he was hanged and, while still alive, emasculated and eviscerated before being beheaded. Knowing what his fate would be, Wallace asserted at his trial that, since he had never been the subject of Edward I, he could be no traitor. It is a stirring story of defiance to the last.
Panel stitched by:
Perth Embroiderers’ Guild
Lorna Morrison
Gladys Anderson
Dorothy Lewin
Heather Moir
Anthea Pawley
Michelle Peet
Janice Reid
Wendy Rosier
Mary Ross
Pat Scales
Loretta Whitcomb
Jeanette Yates
Margaret Young
Stitched in:
Perth, Blairgowrie, Methven, Scone