Essay on Williams Wallace’s Role of His Memory and the 1995 Film Concerning the Recent Independence Movement and the Referendum in 2014

Summary

The commemoration of the public Execution of Wallace Williams marks an important point for the citizens of Scotland. The evolution of the people of Scotland comes from the brave deeds of Wallace who fought British rule with success and failure. This paper draws historical facts from the story of Wallace. It relates to a recent film “Brave Heart” that looks at the life of a warrior who revolutionized the people of Scotland. Straight from his Childhood, Wallace had seen his people get humiliation from British rule (Johnson, Ron, and Bone 7). He encountered various retrogressive policies of the British rule during the 13^th century. His history reveals that his father and Uncle died at war under the hands of British troops. His uncle took him in and probably trained him to fight.

Wallace life and his contribution to the independence of Scotland come through an incident where he saves a girl from being raped by British troops. This leads to a fight where the girl is killed by slicing the throat. Wallace pretends to surrender but with the help of citizens, he overcomes a garrison killing the Sheriff. His military quest goes to conquering various lands formally held by British forces (Johnson et al. 13). He even attempts to conquer a region right at the heartland o England.

With all of these exploits by the Hero it is essential to note that he fought for the rights of self determination, freedom and oppressive rule. His contribution builds on today’s referendum. In modern Scotland, there is a need for independence from the United Kingdom. Wallace gave proof that there is need for self-rule in Scotland and freedom from United Kingdom. Today’s referendum builds on Wallace goals and promotes the agenda of democracy and self-rule.

Introduction

Individuals make a gathering at a point of the corner of a street in London. At this place, a procession proceeds on marking a memorial for a special occasion in history. At this point in history is the reminder of a public execution of William Wallace. The time in history took place in Scotland in the year 1305 (Johnson et al. 14). Wallace influence on the film has a history of the Scottish people.

The film looks at the history of Scotland that took place on the 13^th century. The film illustrates that during the period after a period of civil unrest. A king of England wanted to conquer Scotland. King Edward invades Scotland and after a fight takes over the throne. This meant that they were to be ruled by British lords. Under these rule English Lords had added privileges against Scottish nationals. “Longshanks” was a practice where a Lord had the right of taking a newly wedded woman to his bed on the night of the wedding. Some argue that this was intended in breeding out the population of Scotland (Johnson et al. 21).

William Wallace Role

The story now shifts to the southern town of Scotland in the town of Lanark. In relation to the town, a young boy named William Wallace follows his father into a meeting of Scottish nobles. It comes to our realization that the meeting is an arrangement of Lord Shanks. When William and his father arrive at the meeting place, they find the Lord has killed all Scots. William Wallace witnesses the hanging of Scots along with servants. William then panics from the sight of corpses before his father finds him. The story then follows another meeting where Wallace father attends (Johnson et al. 17). In this meeting the people of Scotland comes with a resolution that they had to go to war.

So the meeting resolves for specific periods where war would take place. At the date of the War, William wishes to go to fight with his father. However, his father rebukes him and tells the boy to look after their farm. A few days after the war broke up a friend of his father comes and tell him that his father died as well as his brother. At the funeral procession, William takes a thistle by a girl. William uncle arrives and inform him of their intention to taking him on a journey back to their home. During that night William’s uncle listen to music from bagpipers players as a tribute to his brother (Johnson et al. 19). Argyle William’s uncle tell him that the pipes are outlawed.

In their meeting Argyle notice an interest from William on his sword and tell him he will educate him on how to fight. Ten years later, the boy returns to his fatherland for reconnection. During this period, he meets his friend and they make a formidable reconnection. William then falls in love with his childhood friend; the same girl that gave him a thistle during his father’s funeral. It was during this period; Wallace witnesses an event where a magistrate takes a newly wedded woman to his own bed. Scotland stills live under the cruel rule of “Lonshanks”. William avoids trouble in the country by choosing to be a farmer.

One day an event happens that has significance to the constitution of Scotland. A soldier wants to rape a girl named Murron but William fights the soldiers and frees the girl. The girl is captured and executed; by slitting the throat. William returns to the village with an intention of surrender. However, he approaches a garrison of the English and slaughters the whole population with the help of villagers (Johnson et al. 20). The scene that follows is the execution of the Sheriff in the same manner Murron died.

After this, decisive William develops an ambition of destroying England’s control in the country. William was now compelled to fight English to the last drop of his blood. His resolution provides William an opportunity to conquer British rule and freed its citizens from slavery. In his strategy to destroying British rule, Wallace uses the force of commoners. The popularity of the young Scottish grew and he now had an army that would take over the British force (Johnson et al. 24).

Today’s inauguration marks the influence of Wallace in relation to independence and current constitution. These celebrations that took place in the year 2014, remembers the influence of Wallace and other players in making Scotland an independent nation. Wallace became the most important figure in most of Scotland’s liberation fights. Wallace became outlawed after killing the son of an English constable. He was also accused of killing two soldiers after a quarrel concerning fish. With the support of many Scottish nationals, Wallace fought a guerilla war against the British.

In one of his war for independence, the hero led an uprising to Scone. On hearing of his advance, the English Justiciar in Scotland made a quick escape. He fled with his troops to Edinburgh for safety. In response to the action of English troops, Wallace laid siege the castle at Dundee. Word went round to the King of the advance of Scottish troops (Johnson et al. 22). Edward I made a choice to concentrate on fighting the Scots and ignoring advancing to France. The king gave John de Warenne the task of creating an army able to crush Wallace army advance. Wallace heard the English army marching and he broke the siege and sent a messager in preparation of a meeting with Edwards’s men.

William strategy on fighting British occupation concentrated on slaughtering as many soldiers as possible. His strategy includes utilization of spears twice as long as a human being’s height. In such endeavors, the hero not only fought for the freedom of his people, he also fought for human rights. This resolve makes Wallace a great contributor to today’s Scottish constitution. Wallace is one of the greatest individuals to formulate the constitution of Scotland. He stood for human rights, freedom and other rights of individuals. William Wallace remembrance probably lies on his military campaigns against British forces. Together with Moray Wallace made various attacks on English positions in Scotland. In one occasion, the English came with a force of over 10000 infantrymen (Johnson et al. 22).

After Wallace saw his forces had been outnumbered performs a trick. He develops a bridge that would see only few people cross at a moment. He then places his men strategically on the narrow bridge. Wallace and his men let half of English men cross the bridge as a way of lying to them that they were safe. His team attacked these soldiers quickly as they reached the end of the bridge. As a retaliation attempt, British came in huge numbers destroying the bridge thus drowning of most of them. This led to a resounding victory on the Part of Scottish forces.

Wallace Influence on Constitution

“Wallace National Monument” creation and ideology reflects the national identity of the Scottish people. Wallace identity is considered an important portion of history for the people of Scotland. Bruce and Wallace wars contribute to the identity of the nation. The country was in need of Scottish men to run the agenda of the country with ease. Being a pro-Unionist Wallace was the best candidate for the position. Wallace brings to the world aspects of democratic patriotism (Brett 4). He is the father of various theories of nationhood for the globe. His actions also provide the need of democracy. The idea to democratize comes from Wallace actions in various fights. He fought selflessly for the freedom of the people of Scotland.

Wallace provides the reader the other side of humanity of his time. A medieval person in a violent generation William had the mind of later years. In all of his wars, the hero fought for legitimate power. However, he ruled the nation; his action was that of a guardian. On the other hand, Wallace violence was not arbitrary. He saw his ambition of having a free Scotland as bigger than he has. Therefore, his actions on the battlegrounds were a self-less struggle for the constitution of the Scottish people. His wars with British forces at the period were to institutionalize his community (Brett 8). The leader wanted a constitution that would cater for the needs of every individual in the nation. The constitution had to be inclusive of all parties irrespective of geographical location, ethnicity or religion.

It makes sense to state Wallace as a democrat. This is true because of his actions from the start of the war to the end. The leader made use of commoners in his army ranks. On the other hand, Wallace had the ability to talk to ordinary men. This mode of communication made the hero a nationalists and a politician. The fighter was also a conservative. Having seen British forces take over Scottish territory and enforcing various statues. William Wallace stood against controls from British forces. The man wanted the constitution of his nation written in a different page.

Europe and Global Influence

Today Scotland is celebrating another front in its history. The country was like other countries on the globe and various shifts on its strength make it a centre for diverse populations. In the current environment, the country faces various influences. Various national and global influences make the country a focal point for democracy. Globalization has an influence as well as shifts in identities affects Scotland on various spheres (Brett 11). The country has been adopting itself to these changes and making process in its agenda. One must realize that the process of shifting is time consuming. Later narratives have an influence on current conditions of the country. Through utilization of these narratives, the country is able to create strategies for future actions.

The commemoration of Wallace as a national hero provides various insights relating to his contribution to the creation of the constitution. Wallace remains an important contributor to the process of reinvention in Scotland. The most notable of Wallace influence on the constitution come in the 1980s and 90s where the country fights for self-governance principles the newly restored national government provides a basis for rediscovery (Brett 6). In application, the national government a choice to: utilize Wallace vigor and fury in restoring the status of the country.

The opening of the current Scottish parliament in the year 1997 is probably the most important historic factors to people of Scotland. The other important feature was the enactment of the Scottish Act that took place in the year 1998. With the various changes, occurring on the national values of Scotland there is need for them to consider their history. The country had to dig back into history to understand Wallace views on real Scots. A letter signed by Wallace and Bruce provide implicit details on values of Scottish fellow citizens. In the letter, Wallace grants access to merchant to the country.

This shows that the hero was not only concerned about liberation but economic prosperity of the country. The letter builds on the Character of Wallace. He is seen as nationalist who viewed the country as a member of the European region. He felt that Scots had rights to represent their agenda as equals in the European region. The country needed to communicate with other countries on their own terms.

Wallace belongs to a group of leaders who believe on institutionalization of various forms of communities. This shows that the person had been a great campaigner of the constitution of Scotland. He was a defender on freedom of expression, campaign against imposed rule. In the war Wallace, utilize innovative strategies to take control from British colonials. Throughout his struggles, Wallace fights for the rights of the Scottish people to self-determination (Johnson et al. 24). He had many objections on British rule in Scotland. The other aspect of consideration for the nation relates to a complete restoration of Scotland’s land t its people. The new referendum celebration in the year 2014 provides another window for the people of Scotland. The movie Brave heart provides various aspects of freedom as shown by Wallace. This is probably the reborn of the country.

Recent Independence Movements and Referendum

Scottish referendum reform takes shape from previous historical perspectives. William Wallace is perhaps the most important contributor to the constitution of the country. Recent development on the referendum of Scotland took place in the year 2014 (Geoghegan 14). The referendum debate takes precedence where voters have a choice of either endorsing a Yes or No vote. The question of the referendum is whether Scotland should remain an independent state or not. From the results of the referendum over 84% of respondents made a yes vote on the referendum question (Brett 16). This shows that majority of citizens wants an independent Scotland. This was probably the largest value of votes made since the universal suffrage introduction.

The referendum bill on constitutional change in Scotland took place in its parliament in November of the year 2013. This enforcement followed an agreement between the United Kingdom and the Scotland. This agreement led to the formation of the Scottish referendum Act of 2013. The voting pattern targets voters from ages 16 and above (Geoghegan 20). On the campaign trail, majority of people took a Yes viewpoint. During discussions on the referendum, various fundamental topics come to fore. The aspects arising from the discussion include specific currency Scotland will use after the referendum. The other aspects of consideration include EU membership of the country and membership (Brett 7).

Right to Self Determination

Like in the period of Wallace, his agenda was on the right of Scotland to determine its own future. Today’s referendum follows the same agenda. During the period of Wallace, application of this could come after a struggle. However, today these aspects come from individuals voting in a referendum. The need for self-determination comes from two opposing identities (Geoghegan 13). For Scotland, there are two identities. One of the identities relate to the rule of the nation by the United Kingdom. The other identity comes from the need of Scotland’s native to rule their country without outside help. The culture of the Scottish people is different from that of individuals from the United Kingdom. There is a lot of conflicts in terms of identity in Scotland. Many of its citizens argue that they are either Scottish or British.

Improvement of Democracy

Improvement of Democracy had been the focal point for Wallace in his military agenda. The hero fought for the rights of citizens of Scotland. He wanted to free his country from British control and from various policies of the government of the time. According to the referendum, there is a need for the country to change its control. The country has been following similar strategies for over 30 years (Geoghegan 10). There are various important aspects of democracy for the country. They include national security, economic as well as monetary policies. Once the country is independent, there is a possibility of making sound decisions. The country will be able to alter its political cause. .

Works Cited

Johnson, Ron, and Jan Bone. “Understanding the Film.” (1976).

Mull, Brett. Construction of Culture: Robert Burns ‘Contributions to Scottish National Identity. Diss. University of Colorado at Boulder, 2012.

Geoghegan, Peter. The People’s Referendum: Why Scotland Will Never be the Same Again. Luath Press Ltd, 2014.