The movie Braveheart is a favorite among movie lovers everywhere because of its powerful message set against the beautiful Scottish countryside. While the film is based on historical events, it is not completely accurate. Many people love the film, but they do not know the real truth about William Wallace.
It is true that William Wallace was a Scottish patriot and leader of his people during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Many of the details of his life from the film, however, were fabricated since not much is known of Wallace in the early part of his life. It is believed that he was born in Ayrshire and had two brothers, but little is known for sure since the only account of his childhood was written nearly two centuries after his birth.
In the film, Wallace is portrayed as a poor man who came from very little. In reality, he was a landed commoner with a good education and may have even gone on to become a scholar if it had not been for the war. However, when he refused to sign a document pledging his loyalty, he was forced to fight or go into hiding.
The film also gives the appearance that Wallace alone was responsible for organizing other rebels to fight against England. In truth, he worked closely with a man named Andrew Moray who had just as large a role in calling the men to action. Moray, who was killed at Sterling Bride, is rarely mentioned in the history books and was not featured in the film at all.
It is likely that Hollywood chose to make these changes, among others, in the film to make Wallace appear to be more of a singular hero. While his acts of bravery and patriotism cannot be denied, they did not play out exactly the way they are portrayed in the movie Braveheart. The truth about William Wallace is quite different than what the movie suggests, but it is no less interesting and exciting.
