SOURCE EXERCISE ON GUARDIANSHIP OF WALLACE
Source A: Letter of William Wallace and Andrew Murray, 11 October
1297
Andrew Murray and William Wallace, leaders of the army of the kingdom of
Scotland, and the community of the realm, to their wise and discreet beloved
friends, the mayors and common people of Lubeck and Hamburg, greetings
and ever-increasing sincere affection.
We have been told by trustworthy merchants of the kingdom of Scotland that
you, because of your kindness and not because of what we deserve, are
considerate, helpful and well disposed in all cases and matters affecting us
and our merchants and we are therefore more obliged to give you our thanks
and a worthy repayment: to this end we willingly enter into an undertaking
with you, asking you to have it announced to your merchants tha t they can
have safe access to all ports of the Scottish kingdom with their merchandise,
because the kingdom of Scotland, thanks be to God, has been recovered by
war from the power of the English.
How useful is Source A as evidence of Wallace’s role as Guardian?
Before attempting this question think carefully about the answers to each of
the following smaller questions. They should help you prepare your points for
the fuller question.
The source is written in the name of Wallace and Murray.
 What does this tell us about Wallace’s position and role at that time?
 Did that situation continue or did circumstances change?
Wallace and Murray are described as ‘leaders of the army of the kingdom of
Scotland’.
 What does that tell us about Wallace’s position as Guardian?
 On what was his authority based?
Wallace and Murray are described as leaders of the community of the realm.
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What was the community of the realm?
Why was the community of the realm particularly important at this time?
For whom was Wallace guarding the kingdom?
How then did Wallace see his role?
WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009
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SOURCE EXERCISE ON GUARDIANSHIP OF WALLACE
In the source, Wallace and Murray invite the merchants of Lubeck and
Hamburg to resume trade with Scotland.
 What does this tell us about the sorts of responsibilities they felt they had
as Guardians?
 It perhaps shows us that they saw themselves as much more than simply
leaders of the army. Perhaps they saw themselves as the legitimate
government acting on behalf of King John.
The source ends by saying that the kingdom of Scots ‘has been recovered by
war’.
 How accurate a statement was that in October 1297? What action had seen
off the English forces and when?
 Was it likely that the Scottish recovery would now be permanent and
unchallenged?
 Why might Wallace be making such a bold claim to a lasting mi litary
victory in the letter? What does this tell us about the nature of the
evidence in the letter? Overall, do you think the letter is useful as evidence
of the role of Wallace as guardian or is its use undermined in any way?
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WARS OF INDEPENDENCE (H, HISTORY)
© Learning and Teaching Scotland 2009