Ever since I was a little girl, my dad used to tell me that I was related to Sir William Wallace. I was always slightly skeptical as to how he knew this to be true. However, being too young to know any better, I just assumed he was right. As I grew older, I began to question if the 13th century Scottish patriot truly was my ancestor. How could I, a girl from Mobile, AL, be a direct decedent of one of the greatest national heroes of all time? And if I truly was, how was it possible to trace all the way back the the 13th century?
The Wallace National Monument
My grandmother, Zoie Wallace Graham, was born in 1931 to James Madison Wallace and Lucille McCrary. This is where my connection to the Wallace name begins. Using family records along with search engines such as Ancestry, I began tracing back the Wallace name. I discovered my family has been in the United States for centuries. Mathew Wallace came to America in 17th century from Ireland, his father being from Scotland. As I continued my search even farther back, I found that I am in fact related to Sir William Wallace.
Realizing I really was a descendant of the greatest Scottish National heroes was exciting. Sir William Wallace’s courage is an inspiration to people everywhere. However, it is not William’s courage, but rather his strong Catholic faith that inspires me the most. Being the second son in his family, William’s life was devoted to the Church (Pianta). Although he abandoned religious life, he remained loyal to the Church. In fact, the support of the Church played an integral part in Wallace’s success. Without the Church’s support, Wallace would not have gained the support of so many nobles.Throughout his entire rebellion, he kept his faith and remained loyal to the
A letter from King Philip IV of France asking Pope Boniface VIII to look with favor upon Wallace.
Pope. Even as he was being executed, Wallace kept his devotion to Jesus. Accounts of his death recall Wallace was praying the Psalms as he was being quartered (MacKay, 11). In the end, Wallace’s faith was even stronger than his sword.
Just like Wallace, I also grew up a Roman Catholic. Having attended Catholic school my whole life, I’ve studied the lives of numerous saints and other faithful people. The story of William Wallace, however, inspires me more than any other. No matter what he went through, Wallace never gave up on is faith. Following my ancestor’s example, I continue to grow in my faith each day.
Works Consulted
Pianta, Mauro. “”Braveheart Was a True Catholic Hero”” Vatican Insider. 13 Jan. 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
Mackay, James A. William Wallace: Brave Heart. Edinburgh: Mainstream Pub., 1995. Print.
Morton, Graeme. William Wallace: Man and Myth. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Sutton, 2001. Print.
Herbert, Dean. William Wallace. Digital image. Scottish Express. 3 Jan. 2013. Web.
Tytler. The National Wallace Monument. Digital image. Eccentric Bliss. 30 Nov. 2012. Web.
The Lübeck Letter of William Wallace. Digital image. Eccentric Bliss. 18 Nov. 2012. Web.