Monument

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Sir William Wallace

Erection date: 8/4/1956

Inscription

To the immortal memory of Sir William Wallace, Scottish patriot, born at Elderslie Renfrewshire circa 1270 AD, who from the year 1296 fought dauntlessly in defence of his country's liberty and independence in the face of fearful odds and great hardship, being eventually betrayed and captured. Brought to London and put to death near this spot on the 23rd August 1305.

His example heroism and devotion inspired those who came after him to win victory from defeat and his memory remains for all time a source of pride, honour and inspiration to his countrymen.

Dico tibi verum libertas optima rerum nunqual servili sub nexu vivito fili.
{Latin: I tell you the truth. Freedom is what is best. Sons, never live life like slaves.}

Bas Agus Buaidh
{An old Scottish battle-cry in Gaelic: Death and Victory}

{Below the memorial is a small brass plaque:}
This memorial was placed here by Scots and friends at home and abroad by kind permission of the governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital and unveiled on 8th April, 1956.

2019: Scott Kelly informed us of the work he and his colleagues do, looking after this monument. It's a splendid memorial and we thank them for their work.

2023: Londonist informs that "Every year, in the run-up to the anniversary, {Wallace's} memorial is adorned by flowers and other tokens of affection and gratitude."

Site: St Bart's Hospital: Wallace & Marian Martyrs & Peasants' Revolt (4 memorials)

EC1, West Smithfield, St Bartholomew's Hospital

The front elevation of this building is very odd, especially at the roof-line. To end up like this it must have an interesting history. The frieze inscription above the pillars must have been installed when the building was enlarged. At ground floor level there are 3 blanked-off window bays, just perfect for memorials, left to right: Peasants' Revolt, Wallace, Marian Martyrs.

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
St Bartholomew's Hospital - Sir William Wallace

Subjects commemorated i

Sir William Wallace

Scottish knight and national hero. Born Renfrewshire. Convicted of treason Wa...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
St Bartholomew's Hospital - Sir William Wallace

Also at this site i

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Marian Martyrs

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Marian Martyrs

Being just outside the city walls this was considered a suitable spot for exe...

Read More

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Victorian extension

St Bartholomew's Hospital - Victorian extension

{On the frieze above the pillars:} Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, Founded by...

Read More

The Great Rising / Peasants' Revolt

The Great Rising / Peasants' Revolt

Matthew Bell realised that The Great Rising lacked a proper memorial and that...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Deptford war memorial

Deptford war memorial

SE14, Lewisham Way

The memorial is now in the Borough of Lewisham. Deptford ceased to exist as a separate borough in 1965. Wagstaff created the two figures...

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
London Troops memorial plaque - Fulham

London Troops memorial plaque - Fulham

SW6, Putney Bridge Approach, Vicarage Gardens

We recognised this as a flat version of the monument at the Royal Exchange and were pleased to find an explanation of how it came to be, ...

War dead | WW1, WW2
319 subjects commemorated, 4 creators
Henrietta Barnett monument

Henrietta Barnett monument

NW11, Central Square

Unveiled 17 July 1937.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery WW1 - cross

Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery WW1 - cross

SE4, Brockley Grove, Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery

The names of those buried in this cemetery without headstones on their graves are listed on a separate nearby memorial.

1 subject commemorated
Waterloo WW1 war memorial

Waterloo WW1 war memorial

SE1, Waterloo Station

Our photo shows just one of the four panels.  See Stockwell War Memorial for more information about some of the names on this, Waterloo, ...

War dead | WW1
586 subjects commemorated, 1 creator