You have a good point, though arguably Robert the Bruce counts and achieved something, as did Llewellyn the Great (not to be confused with Llewellyn the Last, his grandson.) The English seem to respect Scott, who failed but are now very uncomfortable about laying claim to any national figure instrumental in building or running the Empire as a hero in case it turns out to be politically incorrect these days - viz Wolfe at the Heights of Abraham. Or Alfred the Great and the cakes. No longer taught as far as I can tell.