Wallace Monument

The Wallace Monument is a 67 m high square tower that was built in 1869 near Stirling, Scotland, in memory of William Wallace.

William Wallace was one of the leaders of the resistance against Edward I of England ("Edward Longshanks"), who claimed sovereignty over Scotland and forced the Scottish King John de Balliol to abdicate in 1296. Together with Andrew de Moray, Wallace inflicted a devastating defeat on the English troops in the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. As a result, the two drove the remnants of the English administration out of Scotland and were appointed by the Scottish nobility as Guardians of the Realm, regents of Scotland in the name of King John Balliol, who was in English captivity. Wallace was knighted and led a raid through the English counties of Northumberland and Cumberlane. He was defeated by Edward I at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. William Wallace was betrayed and captured on 5 August 1305 at Robroyston near Glasgow. Shortly afterwards he was tied to a horse and taken on a two-week journey to London. There he was accused of high treason and sentenced to death by hanging, disemboweling and quartering. The execution took place on 23 August 1305.