Wallace was born around 1270 AD. There is controversy as to the location of his birthplace. Various sources will name either Elderslie in Ayrshire or Ellerslie in Renfrewshire. Both places are in south west Scotland.

In 1297 Wallace killed the Sheriff of Lanark and this began his guerrilla campaign against the English, who were occupying much of Scotland at that time. In this year the Scots won a magnificent victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. English power in Scotland was temporarily ended. The following year Wallace was appointed the Guardian of Scotland, however the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Falkirk.

In 1299 Wallace resigned the guardianship and spent time on diplomatic missions in continental Europe. He returned to Scotland in 1301 and continued to fight the English king Edward 1 (Longshanks).

In 1305 he was captured and betrayed by Sir John Monteith and sent to London. He was executed in London. Thereafter he became a martyr for Scotland's independence.