Thus William Wallace, when his father and elder brother were killed, succeeded to the title.

Knighthoods, or, as we should call them, baronetcies, were bestowed in Scotland, as in England, for bravery in the field and distinguished services.

The English, with their stricter laws of chivalry, did not recognize these hereditary titles; and Sir William Wallace and many of his adherents who bear the prefix of Sir in all Scotch histories, are spoken of without that title in contemporary English documents.

Archie himself had inherited the title from his father; and the prefix was, indeed, applied to the heads of almost all families of gentle blood in Scotland.
"This, Sir William," Marion said, "is Sir Archibald Forbes, of whom I have often spoken to you as one of your most fervent admirers.
He is a true Scotsman, and he yearns for the time when he may draw his sword in the cause of his country." "He is over young yet," Sir William said smiling; "but time will cure that defect.

It is upon the young blood of Scotland that our hopes rest.