The city has experienced a considerable amount of fighting over the years, and it was at Bishop's Castle in 1300 that William Wallace (immortalised by the Hollywood blockbuster Braveheart) famously defeated a much larger army of English Knights that had taken possession of the castle.
During the 18th century, Glasgow prospered due to its location on the west coast and its ability to send shipping to America and the West Indies. The discovery of vast deposits of coal and iron ore in the nearby area shaped the next two centuries of Glasgow's history.
During the 20th century, the city suffered a large decline due to the effects of two World Wars and the Great Depression. The main industries became uncompetitive and unemployment soared. This was partially reversed by the end of the century when Glasgow became a significant centre for business and finance, and also began to benefit from an increase in tourism.
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