Brutally quick Scottish history:  William Wallace (aka Braveheart) was a 13th century Scottish warrior who led the Scots against King Edward I of England in 1296, the First War of Scottish Independence.  He was knighted for his bravery and leadership.  On trial for treason against England, Sir Wallace famously said, “I could not be a traitor to Edward, for I was never his subject.”  Following the trial, he was taken to the Tower of London, stripped naked and dragged by horse through the city.  He was strangled by hanging, but released while he was still alive, emasculated, disembowled and beheaded.  Then his body was cut into quarters.  His preserved head (dipped in tar) was placed on a pike atop London Bridge. His contemporary, Robert the Bruce, also a Scottish warrior, led the Scots in many battles against King Edward II of England, following the death of Wallace.  He was the crowned King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329, dying at the ripe old age of 55.