The Scottish Chiefs

In the summer of 1296, Scotland was finally at peace, for the Scottish king had submitted to the authority of Edward I, King of England. Sir William Wallace, like many other Scottish lords, had retired to his home at Ellerslie. One night, he was asked secretly to meet Sir John Monteith, who gave him a mysterious iron box with instructions that it was not to be opened until Scotland was again free. On his way home with the box, Wallace saw the old Earl of Mar attacked by English soldiers. Wallace saved his old friend and took the wounded man to Ellerslie. There the vengeance of the English governor followed them. The wounded earl was hidden in a well, and Wallace fled to the hills. Lady Wallace was killed by the English governor when she refused to give information concerning her husband's whereabouts or the iron box. Ellerslie was burned. After the English had gone, Mar was rescued and taken to Bothwell Castle. Wallace had the box taken to the Abbot of St. Fillan for safekeeping. When Wallace heard that his wife had been so cruelly murdered, he swore to free Scotland from the tyrant Edward. Mar promised him aid and men, and in a few weeks, Wallace had captured several castles and their English garrisons. After some successful battles, Wallace learned that Mar and his family had been captured and jailed in Dumbarton Castle, and he hastened there with his troops to save them. A young man, Edwin Ruthven, secretly entered the castle to learn the strength of its defense. Acting on Ruthven's information, Wallace and his troops captured the castle and saved Mar's family. He escorted the fugitives to Bute, where it was hoped they would be safe until Scotland was free. While Wallace was at Bute, he learned that the English had executed many of the great Scottish chiefs in revenge for the victories he had won. Wallace first led his troops to Avr and captured that castle.