Robert Low - The Lion Wakes

SIENTCLER, Sir John of Herdmanston

Fictional character, father of Hal, the Auld Sire of Herdmanston is captured by Sir Marmaduke Thweng fighting at Stirling Bridge and dies before he can be ransomed.

SIENTCLER, Sir William of Roslin (the Auld Templar)

Fictional character – the ‘Auld Templar of Roslin’ has been allowed back to Roslin by his commanderie because both his son and grandson are prisoners of the English. The real Sir William Sientcler (here described as the Auld Templar’s son) is already in the Tower by the opening of this story and destined to die there.

THWENG, Sir Marmaduke

Lord of Kilton in Yorkshire, a noted knight and married to a Lucia de Brus, distant kin to Bruce himself, Sir Marmaduke is the accepted, sensible face of English knighthood. A noted thief-taker – bounty hunter – in his own realm, he was also part of the tourney circuit with the young Robert Bruce. Fought at Stirling Bridge and was one of few to battle their way back to Stirling Castle, where he was eventually taken prisoner. Took part in subsequent campaigns against the Scots including Bannockburn, where, in his sixties, he fought until he could surrender personally to Bruce and was subsequently released without ransom.

WALLACE, William

The legend who led Scottish forces to victory at Stirling Bridge and defeat at Falkirk, was forced to relinquish his Guardianship and eventually betrayed to the English. That at least is the myth, but the man behind it is more elusive – described as a ‘chief of brigands’ at the time of the rebellion, he was barely of the nobility of Scotland and accepted by them unwillingly and only while he was winning. He was, however, the only one of them all who never gave in, or changed sides.

WISHART, Robert, Bishop of Glasgow

One of the original Guardians of Scotland following the death of King Alexander III – and partly responsible for inviting Edward I to preside over subsequent proceedings – Bishop Wishart became the engine of rebellion and a staunch supporter of first Wallace, then Bruce. He and Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews, were instrumental in bringing support to Bruce even after he murdered his rival, the Red Comyn – Wishart went so far as to absolve Bruce for the affair. The Bishops’ reasons for rebelling were simple – the Scottish church was responsible only to the Pope, who appointed all their senior prelates; they did not want the English version, where the King performed that function, and could maintain that difference only if Scotland remained a distinct and separate realm.