Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/269

 SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. 405

having extricated itself from the morass ; and they both attacked the Scottish shiltrons simultaneously. The shock was tremendous. The English cavalry was fully caparisoned and armed, and made desperate endeavours to break through the columns of the Scottish infantry; but were gallantly withstood.

They could not penetrate that wood of spears," says one of their historians.

icir charges were repeatedly repulsed, notwithstanding that the Scottish horse, commanded by some of the nobles at variance with Wallace, either from mean jealousy towards him, or fear at the number and force of the English, did not come to the assistance of the infantry, but left the field without striking a blow. Edward then brought forward his numerous body of archers, a class of soldiers for which England was long celebrated, and who, as a proverbial illus- tration of the accuracy of their aim, were said to carry each twelve Scotsmen's lives under their girdle, because they generally bore twelve arrows in their belt. These by thick and incessant volleys dreadfully galled the Scottish columns. The archers on the Scottish side were a small but select body from the forest of Selkirk, 15 under the command of Sir John Stewart. In one of the charges, Sir John was thrown from his horse. His faithful bowmen crowded around him, and tried to rescue him; but in vain. They all perished; and their bodies were afterwards recognized by the English, as being the tallest and handsomest on the field. Still the infantry under Wallace did not give way, and still HIS sword flashed with terrific effect, amidst the throng of the English cavalry, and the unceasing shower of the English arrows. But the firm columns of the Scots were at length disunited by dreadful gaps of slain, and they could no longer withstand the overpowering numbers borne against them. Macduff and all his vassals from Fife were killed, and at last Sir John the Graham fell by the side of Wallace. To him, of all others, Wallace was particularly attached; and when he saw him fall, he plunged with ten- fold fury into the thickest of his enemies, dealing with his irresistible arm death and destruction around him. It was impossible, however, that with the hand- ful of men to which his army was now reduced, he could for any length of time successfully oppose the strength brought against him. He was obliged at last to make good his retreat, and gained a neighbouring wood, leaving fif- teen thousand of his followers dead on the field. 16

According to Blind Harry, Wallace, when the English had removed to Lin- lithgow, returned to the field of battle, in order to obtain the body of his friend, Sir John the Graham. This is somewhat countenanced by the fact, that Sir John lies buried in the church-yard of Falkirk, having the following inscription on his grave-stone, which has been several times renewed :

MENTE MANDQVE POTENS ET VALLAE FIDVS ACHATES, CONDITDB, HIC GjtAMVS, BELLO INTBRFECTUS AB ANGLIS,

xxii JVLII ANNO 1298.

Here lies Sir John the Grame, baith wight and wise, Ane of the cheefs who rescewit Scotland thrise; Ane better knicht not to the world was lent Nor was gude Grame of truth and hardiment. 1 ?

15 The Foreste of SelkyrJce in those days comprehended not only the tract now known' by that name, but also the upper parts of Clydesdale and Ayrshire.

16 The accounts of the loss on the Scottish side at the battle of Falkirk are extremely various. Fifteen thousand is stated above, on the authority of two English Chronicles, viz. the Norwich Chronicle, and the Chronicle of John Eversden. It seems nearer probability than any other account. Some of the English historians make it more than the actual amount of Wallace's army: Walsingham, 60,000; and Hemingford, 50,000. Trivet makes it 20,000 ; and Buchanan 10,000. From these accounts we may, at all events, con- clude with certainty, that the Scots suffered severely. There is no account of the English loss. Only two men of note are mentioned as having fallen on their side ; Sir Brian de Jaye, and the prior of Torphichen.

tf His grace the duke of Montrose possesses an antique sword, on which is the following f ascription :