A historic letter in support of Scottish hero William Wallace was displayed on St Andrew’s Day. The fragile document, known as the “Wallace letter of recommendation”, was shown to over 250 people for five hours to protect it from excessive daylight.
The letter, dating back to 1300, was written by the King of France to his agents at the papal court in Rome. It was discovered among other historic documents in the Tower of London in the 19th century. This letter came three years after Wallace and Andrew Moray led the Scots to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
In 1300, Wallace and other Scottish knights were in France, possibly seeking support from the French king to restore the Scottish monarchy in resistance to King Edward I of England. The French monarch’s letter urged allies to support Wallace in his endeavors.
The National Records of Scotland displayed the document briefly in 2018, keeping it out of the light for years at a time to preserve it. Archivist Jocelyn Grant expressed delight in showcasing the rare document alongside tapestries inspired by it and the so-called Lubeck letter. Skilled weavers from the Dovecot studios created the tapestries in 2012, and this was the first time they were displayed since then.
Despite the support expressed in the letter, there is no evidence that Wallace ever reached Rome. Five years later, he was captured by the English, taken to London, and executed. The display of the historic letter provided a unique opportunity for many people to see it in person and appreciate the significance of Wallace’s legacy.
