Changes

 In the movie, William Wallace is suggested to have traveled in Europe during the early years of Edward I's occupation of Scotland. However, in reality little is known about Wallace's early years. First, it is assumed Wallace came from a noble family; two villages are often claimed as his birth places (Elderslie and Ellerslie), both on the western part of Scotland <ref>For more on Wallace's early development years before he revolted against the English, see: Cushing, H. (2010). The life of Sir William Osler. [Vol. 1]: [...] (Nachdr. der Orig.-Ausg., Oxford. Hamburg: Severus Verl.</ref>. We do know that Wallace was an experienced swordsman and knight, which indicates he may have fought in wars prior to his own rebellion and participation in the wars against the English. In fact, one possibility is he fought with king Edward I as a mercenary during that king's wars against the Welsh. That may have been the most feasible path for him to have gained fighting experience and possibly learn about English war tactics.<ref>For more on William Wallace the knight, see: Brown, C. (2005). <i>William Wallace: the true story The True Story of Braveheart. </i> Stroud: Tempus.</ref>

In After the murder of the moviesheriff, the trigger that led to William Wallace took some time to fight against the English was the death of organize his wife in 1297forces, who was killed by the English. In fact, no records exist as other parts of William Wallace having ever been married. However, a later poem did mention he had a wife that was killed Scotland began to rebel and it led him to seek revengeside with the spreading rebellion. More likely, While Wallace was either ambitious to break English authority or resented English occupation of his ancestral lands. This could have been a more likely trigger for him to become one of portrayed as the chief early rebels. In factleader in this revolt, several people, in the movieaddition to Wallace, Wallace's actions are suggested as the trigger began to a wider rebellion that started against lead the English. However, a early rebellion across various parts of Scotland had already started, with William Wallace joining William, Lord of Douglas as an ally. One of the The first major acts of rebellion battle William Wallace fought in was the assassination Battle of the Sheriff of LanarkSterling Bridge, which occurred on September 11, William Heselrig1297. The account by Thomas Grey does indicate This battle was a woman or girl present with William turning point as it gave Wallace. Some have suggested this was his wifefighting reputation. Similar to In the movie, Wallace may have left the town initially then came back English are tricked into marching their heavy cavalry into a trap, with some supporters to lead an attack where the Sheriff was then killed. As the events occurred at the same time as other rebellious acts across Scotland, the attack may have been resulting infantry slaughtered in a premeditated and coordinated eventfutile charge.<ref>For more on the events that led up to the Battle of Sterling Bridge and Wallace's murder of the Sheriff of Lanarkrole, see: TranterMagnusson, N. GM. (19752001). <i>Scotland: The WallaceStory of a Nation</i> (Paperback ed). London: CoronetHarperCollins.</ref>In reality, the battle was won by the Scottish because the English became trapped on Sterling Bridge, where they were not able to use their superior numbers. Many English soldiers fell in the river and likely died from drowning as the bridge may have collapsed during the battle. The victory by Wallace may have largely occurred because the English assumed Wallace would let them cross the bridge, as that may have been considered more in line with the rules of war or assumed rules at the time. In effect, Wallace may have won because he simply didn't follow this rule, realizing the narrowing of the bridge could be used to his advantage and launching the attack as the English tried to cross.

After It was after the murder battle that Wallace was likely named as guardian of the sheriffkingdom in March 1298.<ref>For more on how Wallace became guarding of Scotland, see: Murison, A. F. (2003). <i>William Wallace took some time to organize his forces: Guardian of Scotland.</i> Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications.</ref> In the movie, the noblemen are seen as other parts less than trusting of Scotland began Wallace and more willing to rebel and side with give the spreading rebellionEnglish their loyalty. While Wallace More likely, much of Scotland was portrayed as the leader in this open revolt, several peoplealthough parts of it did stay under English control and there were noblemen loyal to the English. Notably, Edinburgh and its well fortified castle remained in addition to WallaceEnglish hands. After the battle, the Scots began to lead the early rebellionraid parts of northern England. The first major battle William Wallace fought movie, the main city in was the Battle of Sterling Bridgenorth, which occurred on September 11suggests York was sacked, although this likely did not happen. The raids of northern England in 1297. This battle was a turning point as it gave by Wallace his fighting reputation. In the movie, the English are tricked into marching their heavy cavalry into a trapnevertheless, with the resulting infantry slaughtered in a futile chargemay have been momentous and much destruction is suggested by contemporary chroniclers.<ref>For more on the Battle of Sterling Bridge and Wallace's rolethese raids, see: MagnussonBrown, MC. (20012014). Scotland<i>William Wallace: The Man and the story of a nation (Paperback ed). London: HarperCollinsMyth.</i></ref> In reality, the battle Such destruction was won used by the Scottish because the English became trapped on Sterling Bridge, where they were not able to use as part of their superior numbers. Many English soldiers fell in the river and likely died from drowning as the bridge may have collapsed during the battleevidence against him when he was captured years later. The victory raids by Wallace may have largely occurred because were designed to provoke the English assumed Wallace would let them cross the bridgeand undermine their authority, as that may have been considered more in line with the rules of war or assumed rules at leading to potentially rebellion within England against the timeking. In effect, Wallace may have won because he simply didnThis forced Edward't follow this rule, realizing the narrowing of the bridge could be used to his advantage and launching the attack as the English tried to crosss hand into mounting a more serious invasion into Scotland.

It was after the battle that Wallace was likely named as guardian of the kingdom in March 1298.<ref>For more on how Wallace became guarding of Scotland, see: Murison, A. F. (2003). William Wallace: guardian of Scotland. Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications.</ref> In the movie, the noblemen are seen as less than trusting of Wallace and more willing to give the English their loyalty. More likely, much of Scotland was in open revolt, although parts of it did stay under English control and there were noblemen loyal to the English. Notably, Edinburgh and its well fortified castle remained in English hands. After the battle, the Scots began to raid parts of northern England. The movie, the main city in the north, suggests York was sacked, although this likely did not happen. The raids of northern England in 1297 by Wallace, nevertheless, may have been momentous and much destruction is suggested by contemporary chroniclers.<ref>For more on these raids, see: Brown, C. (2014). William Wallace: the man and the myth.</ref> Such destruction was used by the English as part of their evidence against him when he was captured years later. The raids by Wallace were designed to provoke the English and undermine their authority, leading to potentially rebellion within England against the king. This forced Edward's hand into mounting a more serious invasion into Scotland. After a period where a large English army then gathered to invade Scotland, where the Scots were mostly content with raiding these forces, a pitched battle finally occurred at the Battle of Falkirk on July 22, 1298. Edward saw his chance their as the Scots willingly gave him battle rather than continue their raiding of English forces. This time, and similar to the movie, the Scots were decimated by English longbowmen.<ref>For more on the Battle of Falkirk, see: Henty, G. A. (2002). <i>In freedom’s causeFreedom’s Cause: a story A Story of Wallace and Bruce. </i> Mineola, N.Y: Dover.</ref> However, it is very unlikely that Robert the Bruce, future king of Scotland and leader of the Scottish revolt, betrayed Wallace, as suggested in the movie. In fact, the movie suggests rather than Wallace's failure, it was a lack of Scottish support that cost him the battle. More likely, the main failure of the battle may have been poor planning on the part of Wallace, who may have done better by simply harassing the English forces from a distance rather than face a far larger enemy in open combat. After the battle, he may have been so humiliated that he willing resigned his role as guarding of Scotland or was stripped of this title.

==Death of William Wallace==[[File:Daniel Maclise, R.A. - The Trial of Sir William-wallace-monument-1256291 1280Wallace.jpeg|thumbnail|Figure 1300px|left|Trial of William Wallace.]]After the defeat at Falkirk, Wallace may have left for France or even Rome for a period of time. It is possible he was seeking assistance from the French and Pope for the Scottish cause. This is likely since there were wars between the French and English at this time and Wallace would have tried to appeal to a willing English enemy if he could. Monument Sometime around 1304, Wallace likely returned to England and continued to raid parts of English occupied Scotland.<ref>For events after the Battle of Falkirk in Wallace's life, see: Hamilton, J. S. (2010). <i>The Plantagenets: History of a Dynasty</i>. London ; New York: Continuum, pg. 79.</ref> The movie depicts an aging Edward I as being tormented by William Wallace . The attacks were shown as successful skirmishes in most cases, but it is likely these attacks were either negligible, failures, or were insignificant to affect the English presence in Scotland. More likely, Edward I probably did not consider Wallace a major threat at Sterlingthis point and Wallace was more in a desperate state trying to raise a more significant force after the disaster at Falkirk.]]

==Death of William In fact, because he probably now had a weakened position in Scotland, Wallace==After was betrayed, as suggested in the defeat at Falkirkmovie, by a Scottish noble (John de Menteith) who was loyal to Edward in 1305. Wallace may have left was captured and soon put on trail for France or even Rome for a period treason at Westminster Palace, where he did seem to say that he was not guilty of timetreason, the charge he was tried with, because he never claimed loyalty to the English crown, as depicted in the movie. It is possible However, he was seeking assistance from also charged with other offenses. Among the French and Pope for charges brought against him were those related to his pillaging of civilians, which was probably at least partially true, during his raids in the Scottish causenorth of England. This is likely since there were wars between By the French end of August 1305, Wallace was found guilty and English at this time drawn and Wallace would have tried to appeal to quartered, a willing English enemy if he coulddeath reserved for traitors. Sometime around 1304, Wallace likely returned to 's body parts and head were displayed in different parts of England and continued to raid parts make an example against those considering of revolting against the English occupied Scotlandking.<ref>For events after more on the Battle capture and execution of Falkirk in William Wallace's life, see: HamiltonRoss, JD. SR. (20102005). <i>For Freedom: The Plantagenets: history Lasts Days of a dynastyWilliam Wallace</i>. London ; New YorkEdinburgh: Continuum, pg. 79Luath Press.</ref> The movie depicts an aging Edward I as being tormented by William Wallace. The attacks were shown as successful skirmishes in most cases, but it is likely these attacks were either negligible, failures, or were insignificant to affect the English presence in Scotland. More likely, Edward I probably did not consider Wallace a major threat at this point and Wallace was more in a desperate state trying to raise a more significant force after the disaster at Falkirk.

Despite Wallace's death, he is shown as gaining revenge by impregnating the future consort of the king of England, Edward II's wife, Isabella of France. In fact, because he probably now had a weakened position in Scotlandat this point shortly before Wallace's death, Wallace was betrayedIsabella would have been no older than 9 years of age and not yet married to Edward II.<ref>For more on Isabella and her life, as suggested in the moviesee: Warner, by a Scottish noble K. (John de Menteith2016) . <i>Isabella of France, The Rebel Queen: The Story of the Queen who Deposed her Husband Edward II.</i> Gloucestershire, England: Amberley Publishing.</ref> In other words, she was loyal to Edward not even in 1305England yet. Wallace was captured and soon put on trail for treason at Westminster PalaceWhile Edward II is portrayed as effeminate, where historical records do indicate he did seem to say that he was possibly homosexual, his role was not guilty of treasonsignificant until after his father's reign. However, the charge he because Edward II was tried witha relatively weak king, because he never claimed loyalty this did allow the Scots to successfully rebel against him. In fact, Robert the English crownBruce, as depicted in the movie. Howevermany ways, was far more successful than William Wallace, as he was also charged with other offenses. Among successfully rebelled from the charges brought against him were those related to English and Scotland regained its independence under his pillaging reign. The Battle of civiliansBannockburn, as suggested by the movie, which was probably at least partially truea major turning point, during his raids in the north although many years of England. By the end of August 1305, Wallace was found guilty fighting and drawn rebellion occurred before and quartered, a death reserved for traitors (Figure 2). Wallace's body parts after that battle between the Scots and head were displayed in different parts of England to make an example against those considering of revolting against the English king.<ref>For more on Nevertheless, as the capture and execution of William Wallacemovie suggests, see: Ross, D. R. (2005). For freedom: the lasts days Scots did gain their independence after the reign of William WallaceEdward I. Edinburgh: Luath Press.</ref>