William Wallace was tried for treason and executed in London on 23 August 1305, nearly eight years after his victory over an English army at Stirling Bridge.

Wallace had emerged as one of the leaders of Scottish resistance to Edward I in 1297. Fighting alongside Andrew Moray, he defeated an English force at Stirling Bridge in September. He was subsequently made Guardian of the Realm of Scotland.

Edward defeated Wallace’s army at Falkirk in July 1298, and Wallace resigned as Guardian. He nevertheless continued to oppose English rule, including seeking support abroad.

By the early 1300s, many Scottish nobles had submitted to Edward. Wallace had not. Edward continued to regard him as an enemy, and men associated with Sir John Menteith captured Wallace near Glasgow on 5 August 1305.

They took him south and brought him before a court at Westminster Hall on 23 August. Among the charges was treason against Edward I. Wallace reportedly rejected that accusation because he had never sworn allegiance to Edward and therefore could not have betrayed him.

The argument did not alter the outcome. Wallace was convicted and taken to Smithfield for execution. He was hanged, drawn and quartered. His head was placed on London Bridge, while parts of his body were sent for display elsewhere, including Newcastle, Berwick, Stirling and Perth.

The punishment was intended to make an example of a man who had refused to submit to Edward. It did not end the struggle over Scotland. Robert the Bruce killed John Comyn the following year, was crowned King of Scots and renewed the war against English rule.