The roles of William Wallace and Andrew Moray
Two major rebellions developed in 1297 led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray.
Andrew Moray, in the north-east of Scotland
Andrew Moray had been captured after fighting for King John at the Battle of Dunbar but had escaped only to find his family's lands in Avoch on the Black Isle under English control.
Andrew Moray led resistance in the North. Moray led a guerrillaTactic used by a small group against a larger army, normally using hit and run tactics or surprise attacks. campaign capturing Urquhart, Inverness. Elgin, Duffus, Banff and Inverness castles. By the middle of 1297, he had driven the English south of the River Tay.
He then moved south to Dundee, where he joined forces with William Wallace.
William Wallace in the South-west of Scotland
Little is known of William Wallace before the events of 1297, other than he was born near Paisley.
Wallace is first mentioned by English contemporary sources as an outlaw. He is reported to have killed the English Sheriff of Lanark, in May 1297.
He then led a rebellion across Scotland, attacking English soldiers and officials.
He was supported by important figures such as Bishop Wishart of Glasgow, the noble Sir William Douglas and Robert the Bruce. However, although many nobles supported him openly at first, they surrendered to Edward’s nobles at Irvine in July 1297.
Wallace himself refused to surrender and continued his fight against English occupation. He probably avoided capture in the summer months by hiding in Selkirk Forest.
Wallace moved north at the end of the summer and met with Andrew Moray near Dundee.