Hugh de Cressingham
Sir Hugh de Cressingham (died 11 September 1297[1]) was the treasurer of the English administration in Scotland from 1296 to 1297. He was hated by the Scots and did not seem well liked even by the English.[2] He was an advisor to John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. He suggested a full-scale attack across the bridge, which cost the English the battle and led to his own demise.
According to legend, his body was flayed by the Scots as he had flayed Scottish war prisoners, and William Wallace made a sword belt out of his skin. The Lanercost Chronicle states the Scots dried and cured his hide and
| “ | of his skin William Wallace caused a broad strip to be taken from the head to the heel, to make therewith a baldrick for his sword. | ” |
The Scalacronica merely states that
| “ | the Scots caused him to be flayed, and in token of their hatred made thongs of his skin. | ” |
Walter of Hemingburgh recorded,
| “ | The Scots flayed him and divided his skin among themselves in moderate-sized pieces, certainly not as relics, but for hatred of him. | ” |
In the 1995 film Braveheart he is portrayed by the actor Gerard McSorley, and dies of beheading by William Wallace, although the name in the film was 'Cheltham' and he was ordered to lead by a superior.
References
"Cressingham, Hugh". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.