During his youthful years, the King of Scotland Alexander III died, after which civil war developed in the country as a successor was sought. Edward I of England determined that he would be the ultimate ruler of Scotland, whomever was selected for the Scottish throne.

Wallace became an early objector to English rule. He participated in the assassination of William Heselrig, the English High Sheriff of Lanark. A member of the general Scottish rebellion, he joined the raid of Scone as well as helped defeat the English army at the Battle of Sterling Bridge. In 1298 Wallace surrendered his title as Guardian of Scotland to Robert the Bruce.

Wallace continued to evade capture by the English until August of 1305 when another Scottish knight, John de Mentieth, betrayed him to the English. Wallace was transported to London where he was tried for treason. He was taken to the Tower of London and subsequently hanged, drawn and quartered.