Andrew af Moray

Skotsk oprørsleder.

• Stirling Bridge, 1297

Andrew de Moray, the great Scottish patriot who fought to free his lands from the rule of Edward, King of England in the late 13th Century. His first stand against the authority of Edward, appears to be the refusal to sign the Ragman roll (a sign of fealty to Edward by the Scots Barons) in 1292 and later in 1296. The other name missing from the Ragman roll was that of Wallace. At the Battle of Dunbar in April 1296, the young Andrew Moray and his father also called Andrew Moray were Captured. The Father Sir Andrew was sent to the tower of London while his son was imprisoned at Chester. A short time after his imprisonment Andrew escaped or was liberated and made his way back to Scotland.

Upon the return of Andrew Moray to Morayshire and his fathers Castle at Avoch near Inverness, he raised the family standard as a symbol of defiance, though presumably after removing the English garrison stationed there. By raising the standard in defiance of the rule of Edward, the Young Andrew Moray showed immense courage, which inspired others in the North to stand with him and fight back.

In only a matter of a few Months the North of Scotland was cleared of the hated occupiers and was once again in Scots hands. In the South of Scotland another young man called William Wallace was attempting the same thing, the news that both were not acting alone in their struggle must have came as a great boost to their morale. As the situation in Scotland was becoming desperate for the English, pleas for help were sent to Edward, an Army was soon assembled at York to advance into Scotland and put an end to this 'resistance'.

Wallace prepared to meet the English invasion at Stirling, Joining him was Andrew Moray who had brought his own Army to swell the ranks already assembled. It has been speculated that Andrew Moray's tactical skill won the day for the Scots. Unfortunately Moray was wounded by a stray English Arrow, it is known that Andrew Moray survived at least two months before dying from his wound. His death was a great loss to his country, and the wars of Independence may have been different had he survived.

Andrew Moray's Son also called Andrew Moray, went on to fight with the same fierce patriotism shown by his father and Grandfather, he joined Robert the Bruce and his fight for independence. This Moray later married Bruce's sister Christina Bruce and went on to become a Guardian of Scotland maintaining the right to Scottish Independence.