Action at Earnside

Background

King Edward I called upon John de Segrave to locate and capture the Scottish rebels, William Wallace and Simon Fraser. De Segrave conducted a scouting mission into Selkirk Forest and found Scottish forces at Happrew, including William Wallace and Simon Fraser.

During the Action of Happrew, de Segrave routed the Scots, but Wallace and Fraser were able to escape the battle and flee. By the fall of 1304, William Wallace appears once again to fight for the Scots against the English.

Battle

In September of 1304, William Wallace was involved in a skirmish known as the Action at Earnside against the English, which would be the last time he is known to have been engaged in action.

Details of the skirmish are lost to history. Even the location of the skirmish is uncertain. Contemporary records describe the skirmish as taking place at "Yrenside", usually interpreted as "Earnside" or on the banks of the River Earn. There is mention in English records of compensation for a horse lost in a flight from William Wallace, below "Yrenside", and of the Constable of Dundee pursuing Wallace.

It has also been suggested that it could be interpreted as "Ironside", which could mean Ironside Hill in the Sidlaw Hills.

Aftermath

William Wallace evaded capture until August 5th, 1305, when John de Menteith, a Scottish knight with loyalty to Edward I, turned Wallace over to English soldiers at Robroyston, near Glasgow. Wallace was transported to London and taken to Westminster Hall, where he was tried for treason against the King. He was then taken from the Tower of London to Smithfield, where he was hanged, drawn, and quartered.