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[[File:William-wallace-monument-1256291 1280.jpeg|thumbnail|left|250px|Monument to William Wallace in Sterling, Scotland.]]<i>This article contains spoilers.</i>Braveheart was a very popular movie released in 1995 that won 5 Oscars and featured Mel Gibson playing the role of as William Wallace, . Wallace was a Scottish knight who became a hero in the Scottish rebellions against the English in the late 13th and early 14th centurycenturies. The significance of the movie is it helped to inspire Scottish national pride while also, to some, represent an early, Medieval warrior who fought for freedom for himself and his people. While much of the story depicted did occur, including the English occupation of Scotland during the time of Edward I, king of England, the depiction of the revolt against the English and other events do not correspond well to historical accounts

While much of the story depicted did occur, including the English occupation of Scotland during the time of Edward I, king of England, the depiction of the revolt against the English and other events do not correspond well to historical accounts.__NOTOC__====Early Years of William Wallace====In the movie, William Wallace is suggested to have traveled in Europe during Edward I's occupation of Scotland. However, 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 birthplaces (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). <i>The life of Sir William Osler.</i> [Vol. 1]: [...] (Nachdr. der Orig.-Ausg., Oxford. Hamburg: Severus Verl.</ref>

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 indicating he may have fought in wars prior to before his own rebellion and participation in the wars against the English. In fact, one possibility is he fought with king 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>

====Revolt Against the English====In the movie, William Wallace began fighting against the English after his wife's death in 1297, who, according to tot the movie, was killed by the English. In fact, no records exist of William Wallace having ever been married. However, a later poem mentioned he had a wife killed, which led him to seek revenge. More likely, Wallace was either ambitious to break English authority or resented his ancestral lands' English occupation. This may have been why he became one of the leading early Scottish rebels. Braveheart also suggests that Wallace's actions in response to his wife's death triggered a wider rebellion against the English.

In the movie, the trigger that led to William Wallace to fight against the English was the death of his wife in 1297, who was killed by the English. In fact, no records exist of William Wallace having ever been married. However, a later poem did mention he had a wife that was killed and it led him to seek revenge. More likely, 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 the chief early rebels. In fact, in the movie, Wallace's actions are suggested as the trigger to a wider rebellion that started against the English. However, a rebellion across various Scotland parts of Scotland had already started, with William Wallace joining William, Lord of Douglas , as an ally. One of the first major acts of rebellion was the assassination of the Sheriff of Lanark, William Heselrig. The account by Thomas Grey does indicate a woman or girl present with William Wallace. Some have suggested this was his wife. Similar to Like the movie, Wallace may have left the town initially then came back with some supporters to lead an attack where the Sheriff was then killed. As the events occurred at the same time as simultaneously with other rebellious acts across Scotland, the attack may have been a premeditated and coordinated event.<ref>For more on the events that led up to the Battle of Sterling Bridge and Wallace's murder of the Sheriff of Lanark, see: Tranter, N. G. (1975). <i>The Wallace. </i> London: Coronet.</ref>

After the murder of the sheriff, Wallace took some time to organize his forces, as other parts of Scotland began to rebel and side with the spreading rebellion. While Wallace was portrayed as the leader in this revolt, several people, in addition to and Wallace, began to lead the early rebellion. The first major battle William Wallace fought in was the Battle of Sterling Bridge, which occurred on September 11, 1297. This battle was a turning point as it gave Wallace his fighting reputation. In the movie, the English are tricked into marching their heavy cavalry into a trap, with the resulting infantry slaughtered in a futile charge.<ref>For more on the Battle of Sterling Bridge and Wallace's role, see: Magnusson, M. (2001). <i>Scotland: the story The Story of a nation Nation</i> (Paperback ed). London: HarperCollins.</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.

It was after In reality, the battle that Wallace was likely named as guardian of won by 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 Scottish because the English their loyalty. More likelybecame trapped on Sterling Bridge, much of Scotland was in open revolt, although parts of it did stay under English control and there where they were noblemen loyal not able to the Englishuse their superior numbers. Notably, Edinburgh and its well fortified castle remained in Many English hands. After the battle, the Scots began to raid parts of northern England. The movie, the main city soldiers fell in the north, suggests York was sacked, although this river and likely did not happen. The raids of northern England in 1297 by Wallace, nevertheless, died from drowning as the bridge may have been momentous and much destruction is suggested by contemporary chroniclers.<ref>For more on these raids, see: Brown, C. (2014). William Wallace: collapsed during 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 laterbattle. 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 victory may have largely 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, because the Scots were decimated by English longbowmen.<ref>For more on the Battle of Falkirk, see: Henty, G. A. (2002). In freedom’s cause: a story of assumed Wallace and Bruce. Mineola, N.Y: Dover.</ref> However, it is very unlikely that Robert would let them cross the Bruce, future king of Scotland and leader of the Scottish revolt, betrayed Wallacebridge, 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 considered more in line with the part rules of Wallace, who may have done better by simply harassing war or assumed rules at the English forces from a distance rather than face a far larger enemy in open combattime. After the battleIn effect, he Wallace may have been so humiliated that won because he willing resigned didn't follow this rule, realizing the bridge's narrowing could be used to his role advantage and launching the attack as guarding of Scotland or was stripped of this titlethe English tried to cross.

[[FileIt 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). <i>WilliamWallace: Guardian of Scotland.</i> Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications.</ref> In the movie, the noblemen are seen as less than trusting 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 it is well-wallace-monument-1256291 1280fortified 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.jpeg|thumbnail|Figure 1(2014). Monument to <i>William Wallace at Sterling: The Man and the Myth.</i></ref> Such destruction was used by the English as part of their evidence against him when he was captured years later. Wallace's raids were designed to provoke the English and undermine their authority, leading to potential rebellion within England against the king. This forced Edward's hand into mounting a more serious invasion into Scotland.]]

==Death 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. 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). The Plantagenets: history of a dynasty. London ; New York: Continuum, pg. 79.<dh-ad/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.

In fact, because he probably now had After a weakened position in Scotland, Wallace was betrayed, as suggested in the movie, by period where a Scottish noble (John de Menteith) who was loyal large English army then gathered to Edward in 1305. Wallace was captured and soon put on trail for treason at Westminster Palaceinvade Scotland, where he did seem to say that he was not guilty of treason, the charge he was tried Scots were mostly content withraiding these forces, because he never claimed loyalty to a pitched battle finally occurred at the English crownBattle of Falkirk on July 22, 1298. Edward saw his chance there as depicted in the movieScots willingly gave him battle rather than continue their English forces' raiding. HoweverThis time, he was also charged with other offenses. Among and similar to the charges brought against him were those related to his pillaging of civiliansmovie, which was probably at least partially true, during his raids in the north of England. By the end of August 1305, Wallace was found guilty and drawn and quartered, a death reserved for traitors (Figure 2). Wallace's body parts and head Scots were displayed in different parts of England to make an example against those considering of revolting against the decimated by English kinglongbowmen.<ref>For more on the capture and execution Battle of William WallaceFalkirk, see: RossHenty, DG. RA. (20052002). For freedom<i>In Freedom’s Cause: the lasts days A Story of William Wallaceand Bruce.</i> Mineola, N. EdinburghY: Luath PressDover.</ref>However, it is implausible that Robert the Bruce, the future king of Scotland and the Scottish revolt leader, 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 battle's main failure 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 willingly resigned his role as guarding Scotland or was stripped of this title.

Despite ====How did William Wallace's deathdie?====[[File:Daniel Maclise, he is shown as gaining revenge by impregnating the future consort R.A. - The Trial of Sir William Wallace.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|left|Trial of William Wallace.]]After the king of Englanddefeat at Falkirk, Edward II's wife, Isabella Wallace may have left for France or even Rome for a period of Francetime. It is possible he was seeking assistance from the French and Pope for the Scottish cause. In fact, This is likely since there were wars between the French and English at this point shortly before time, and Wallace's death, Isabella would have been no older than 9 years of age tried to appeal to a willing English enemy if he could. Sometime around 1304, Wallace likely returned to England and not yet married continued to Edward IIraid parts of English occupied Scotland.<ref>For more on Isabella and her events after the Battle of Falkirk in Wallace's life, see: Warner Hamilton, KJ. S. (20162010). Isabella of France, the rebel queen<i>The Plantagenets: the story History of the queen who deposed her husband Edward IIa Dynasty</i>. GloucestershireLondon ; New York: Continuum, England: Amberley Publishingpg. 79.</ref> In other words, she was not even in England yet. While Edward II is portrayed as effeminate, where historical records do indicate he was possibly homosexual, his role was not significant until after his father's reign. However, because Edward II was a relatively weak king, this did allow the Scots to successfully rebel against him. In fact, Robert the Bruce, in many ways, was far more successful than William Wallace, as he successfully rebelled from the English and Scotland regained its independence under his reign. The battle of Bannockburn, as suggested by the movie, was a major turning point, although many years of fighting and rebellion occurred before and after that battle between the Scots and English. Nevertheless, as the movie suggests, the Scots did gain their independence after the reign of Edward I.

[[File:Daniel Maclise, R.A. - The Trial of Sir movie depicts an aging Edward I as being tormented by William Wallace.jpeg|thumbnail|Figure 2The attacks were shown as successful skirmishes in most cases, but these attacks were likely negligible, failures, or insignificant. They did not have a meaningful impact on the English presence in Scotland. Trial of William Edward I most likely did not consider Wallace a major threat at this point because Wallacewas struggling to raise an army after the disaster at Falkirk.]]

Much By the end of William August 1305, Wallace was found guilty and drawn and quartered, a death reserved for traitors. Wallace's life has now been steeped body parts and head were displayed in myth, where in actuality very little is known about himdifferent parts of England to make an example against those considering revolting against the English king. Most of what we do know deriving from primary accounts center around <ref>For more on the battles from 1297-1298 capture and when he was captured in August 1305. Nevertheless, execution of William Wallace did, for various reasonsee: Ross, gain a symbolic importanceD. R. (2005). Later stories, such as <i>Exploits and Death For Freedom: The Lasts Days of William Wallace </i> helped to create a romantic and tragic character, perhaps more similar to later figures rather than William Wallace. Nevertheless, the significance of William Wallace is evident to the national character of Scotland where today many statues and monuments are dedicated to himEdinburgh: Luath Press.</ref>

Despite Wallace's death, he is shown as gaining revenge by impregnating the king of England's future consort, Edward II's wife, Isabella of France. In reality, Isabella would have been no older than 9 years of age at this time and not yet married to Edward II.<ref>For more on Isabella and her life, see: Warner, K. (2016). <i>Isabella of France, The Rebel Queen: The Story of the Queen who Deposed her Husband, Edward II.</i> Gloucestershire, England: Amberley Publishing.</ref> She was not even in England at this time. While Edward II is portrayed as effeminate, historical records do indicate he was possibly gay. But his role in English rule was not significant until after his father's reign. However, because Edward II was a relatively weak king, the Scots did successfully rebel against him.  Robert the Bruce, in many ways, was far more successful than William Wallace. He successfully rebelled against England, and Scotland regained its independence under his reign. The Battle of Bannockburn, as suggested by the movie, was a major turning point. Bannockburn was the culmination of years fighting the Scots and English. Nevertheless, as the movie suggests, the Scots did gain their independence after Edward I's reign. ====Conclusion====Much of William Wallace's life has now been steeped in myth, where in actuality very little is known about him. Most of what we know derives from primary accounts center around the battles from 1297-1298 and captured in August 1305. Nevertheless, William Wallace did, for various reasons, gain symbolic importance.  Later stories, such as <i>Exploits and Death of William Wallace </i>, helped create a romantic and tragic character, perhaps more similar to later figures than William Wallace. Nevertheless, the significance of William Wallace is evident to Scotland's national character, where today, many statues and monuments are dedicated to him. <youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojBwASARAzo</youtube> <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[British Criminal and Legal History Top Ten Booklist]]*[[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?]]*[[Was Elizabeth I Justified in having her Cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland Executed?]]*[[How does The Magna Carta influence the Modern Perceptions of Civil Rights?]]*[[Privateering during the War of 1812: Interview with Faye M. Kert]]*[[Did the Congress of Berlin create a more unstable Europe?]]</div> ====References====<references/> {{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:British History]] [[Category:English History]] [[Category:Scottish History]] [[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category:Medieval History]]