Books about William Wallace

Tales of Sir William Wallace

This book by Tom Scott is adapted from The Wallas of Blin Hary. The minstrel, Blind Harry was blind from birth, and in those days (15th Century), the Church taught the blind to memorise and recite poems and tales as the means for earning a living. It is possible, but unlikely, that he composed the poems himself, but the text of the original prose if it ever existed in document form, is lost. Harry said in one of his poems that it was derived from a Latin original which someone translated for him.

Published in 1981 by Gordon Wright Publishing, 55 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh EH9 1HT, Scotland.

William Wallace by Andrew Fisher

This biography by Andrew Fisher is excellent for the history buff. It has an exhaustive list of references and investigates all aspects of his life and character. As a result, it provides a more authentic portrait of the great hero than many previous biographies.

Published in 1986 by John Donald Publishers Ltd, 138 St. Stephen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.

William Wallace, A Scots Life by Glenn Telfer

This book by Glenn Telfer is written in lowland Scots - a version of English that may be slightly hard for the non-Scottish reader. If you read it out loud you may understand it better. The language is like "Ridley Walker" or "The Color Purple" in that respect. It is intended for young adults. Here is a bit: "As news o Heselrigg's killin spread, the rebellion against the English was gied a muckle boost. Wallace becam the maist famous man in Scotland.."

Published in 1995 by Argyll Publishing, Glendaruel, Argyll PA22 3AE, Scotland.

William Wallace, The King's Enemy by D.J. Gray

Another scholarly biography complete with references, this time by D. J. Gray, a historical researcher from Stirling who has specialized in the age of Wallace and Bruce.

Published in 1991 by Robert Hale Ltd, Clerkenwell House, Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0HT, England

The Wallace by Nigel Tranter

Published first in 1975, this novel by Nigel Tranter was a best-seller in Scotland. Obviously, it has no connection to Braveheart, as have none of these books - all were written before the film was released. The blurb on the cover of this paperback reads "William Wallace - a man of violent passions and unquenchable spirit, the natural leader of a proud race." A good read. Tranter has also written many popular novels about other historical figures (The Bruce, Macbeth, Bonnie Prince Charlie). He had this to say about the Scots: "The Scottish people have always been independent, individualistic, awkward if you like- and have long memories. Also their land is sufficiently dramatic in itself. There is scarcely a yard of the country without its story to tell, of heroism and treachery, of warfare or worship, of flourish or folly or heartbreak - for the Scots never did anything by half. This, the most ancient kingdom in Christendom, has more castles, abbeys, battlefields, graveyards, monuments, stone-circles, inscribed stones, and relics of every kind - and eyesores too, admittedly - than any other land of its size, in Highlands and Lowlands, mainland and islands."