On September 11, 1297, the Scottish forces led by William Wallace and Andrew de Moray defeated the English army under John de Warenne at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The Scots used the narrow bridge to their advantage, trapping the English forces and routing them. This victory was a major turning point in the First War of Scottish Independence, establishing Wallace as a national hero and inspiring widespread resistance against English rule.

The Battle of Stirling Bridge is one of the most celebrated events in Scottish history, immortalized in literature and popular culture. The battle is the climax of the epic poem The Wallace, written by Blind Harry in the 15th century, which shaped the heroic image of William Wallace for generations. The victory has been a central theme in Scottish patriotic poetry, ballads, and novels, symbolizing the fight for freedom and national identity.