SIR JOHN GRAHAM

'Sir John de Graham' was a Scottish soldier, born in the lands of Dundaff, in the late 13th century. He opposed the English attempt to impose their rule on Scotland, fighting alongside Sir William Wallace, whose friend and right-hand man he was considered. This made later Scots consider him a great patriot, though the term did not yet exist in Graham's own time. The poet Blind Harry wrote of "’Schir Jhone the Grayme", writing of his bravery and noble death in the battle of Falkirk in 1298, when the Scottish forces were routed under Edward I of England's stronger force of cavalry. Sir John's gravestone and effigy can be found even today in Falkirk Old Church, reading "Here lyes Sir John the Grame, baith wight and wise, Ane of the chiefs who rescewit Scotland thrise, Ane better knight not to the world was led, Nor was gude Graham of truth and hardiment".

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