William
Wallace
In 1296, Scotland was invaded by King of
England. He took Scottish King John de Balliol and many Scots nobles prisoners.
In such conquest wars, there are generally national heroes who make
extraordinary impact on their countries’ independence. In the War of Scottish
Independence, a landowner, William Wallace, raised his voice against England.
Although some remaining nobles tended to serve King of England, William Wallace
refused to live under the rule of England without freedom. He organized people
around him and he led an uprising against England. This rebellion spread across
the whole country and united the Scottish people. Until he was imprisoned and
beheaded in front of a big crowd in England, he made strategic decisions for
war and fought for freedom. Even if some English historians accuse him being a criminal,
Wallace was a freedom fighter. He sacrificed his life for the sake of free
Scotland. The characteristics that make William Wallace a hero are his
extraordinary leadership skills, scarification of his life, and vision of
freedom.
Firstly, like most heroes, William Wallace
exhibited great leadership skills and courage to attract his followers. The
interaction between people and a hero allows him to lead to people around him. In
“Eve’s Daughter,” Miriam Polster (2001) mentions courage is main requirement of
heroism. In the Scottish War of Independence, while nobles tended to show
pliability to England, Wallace stood against his enemy without compromising
(BBC, 2009). Although his braveness made him considered as a nuisance by his
feudal supervisor and England, his courage and motivation impressed local
people to act as an army. This important difference between Scottish nobles and
William Wallace make him a leader among the nobles. Moreover, heroes must demonstrate some form
of excellence. Wallace’s military skills allowed his followers to achieve
unthinkable successes. William Wallace developed great tactics taking into
consideration the geographic conditions to defeat the enemy. He took the war
into the north of England and had some advantages. In strategic areas, his
significant weapon were welsh archers (BBC, 2009). So, with his highly
strategic leadership, his small army gained a victory against huge England
army.
Secondly, although William Wallace was just
a landowner but not a nobleman, he could take the responsibility of the army for
the sake of Scottish people which makes him heroic at the Scottish Independence
War. Wallace organized landowners and commoners to be an army to fight against
England. “Commander of the Army of the Kingdom of Scotland-the outlaw Wallace
was now knighted and made Guardian of Scotland in Balliol’s name at the forest
kirk, at either Selkirk or Carluke.” (BBC, 2009). In other words, Wallace became
a commander and convinced the people to come around a goal to save their
country. Then he led an uprising against King Edward I of England which was the
important action to get Scotland independence. Moreover, with the loyal
feelings he risked his life. He and his warriors devoted their lives on the way
of Scottish independence. They sacrificed their life and personal liberty to
serve their country’s best interest. According to Polster (2001), risking death
and injury is a classic characteristic of a hero and this is considered as a
heroic sign. In other words, timid people cannot be hero. Since Wallace risk
his life standing in the face of danger, he showed great confidence to his
warriors. With this determination Wallace and his freedom fighters made their
best at the battle field.
Lastly, Wallace believed in independence
for him personally and for his country. According to the (BBC, 2009) Wallace’s
uncle’s saying to Wallace: “This is the truth I tell you: of all freedom’s most
fine. Never submit to live, my son, in the bonds of slavery entwined.” In other
words, his uncle raised Wallace with the feelings of freedom. Since he refused
the slavery, he gave the Scottish people power, ambitious, and desire to
achieve victory. Ted Tollefson (1993) says that heroes have universal values
and the skill to move the masses. Wallace’s strong beliefs about freedom
motivated the people to unite against the invaders. In this manner he could
gather crowds around a meaningful value and raise a resistance to regain their
freedom. The realization of resistance against the enemy played a big role in
terms of independence. Even if he didn’t see the end of war, his thoughts created
an independent country. Thus, since Wallace had universal values and could spread
his values to the people, he is considered as a hero.
In the middle ages, there was a strict
hierarchy in societies. The kings or nobles could make decisions about the
future of their countries. Nevertheless, as a simple fighter, Wallace was able
to convince people to follow him and hold the power over Scottish nobles. He
never submitted to live as a slave. He made war for regaining his freedom back.
Eventually, the resistance expanded an independence war and ended up with the
honorable victory. The real heroes make difference on the community and for the
benefit of all humanity. Thus, William Wallace is a hero not only for Scotland
but also for those who fell in love with freedom.
References
Polster,
M., “Eve’s Daughter,” Gestalt Journal Press. 2001. Print.
Tollefson,
T., “Is a Hero Really Nothing But a Sandwich.” Sourcework Academic Writing From
the Source. Heinle/Cengage Learning (2012); 160. Print.
“William
Wallace,” (2009). Retrieved from
The
Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2014, June 13) “Sir-William Wallace.”
Retrieved
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