Sir William Wallace (c. 1270 – 23 August 1305)is a Scottish landowner who becomes one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace defeats an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297, and is appointed Guardian of Scotland, serving until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298.

In August 1305 Wallace is captured in Robroyston near Glasgow and handed over to King Edward I of England, who has him hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason and crimes against English civilians.

Since his death, Wallace has obtained an iconic status far beyond his homeland.

He is the protagonist of the fifteenth-century epic poem The Wallace, by Blind Harry.

Wallace is also the subject of literary works by Sir Walter Scott and Jane Porter and of the 1995 Academy Award-winning film Braveheart.