Braveheart is an epic historical drama directed by Mel Gibson, who also plays the protagonist in this movie. This 1995 film follows the journey of a Scottish knight who is actively involved in the First War of Scottish Independence. If you’ve just watched this movie and are curious to know whether it’s based on a true story and all the real events and facts behind it, then we’ve got you covered.
Is Braveheart based on a true story?
No, Braveheart is a rather historically inaccurate film, that was based on the accounts of a Scottish poet named Blind Harry, who wrote ‘The Wallace.’ Sources suggest that Blind Harry was indeed a real person, but there is no way to verify that the central character, William Wallace was a real person. So, one can say that Braveheart has taken inspiration from historical events.
Braveheart’s real events and facts explained
The makers took some creative liberty in depicting Wallace’s past, to make him a more sympathetic character. However, Blind Harry’s poem did not draw out the characters as noble as they made it in the movie.
The movie is also accurate in the representation of the Scottish and English people from the bygone era, specifically regarding their clothing choices. However, the death of William Wallace was portrayed accurately in the movie, but some gruesome parts were reasonably left out.
The real people behind Braveheart’s characters
To put it in perspective, William Wallace was a real person, but his historical accounts are limited to writings and legends that involve chronicles, legal documents, poems, and other historical records. Purportedly, William was born around 1270 in a lesser noble family that resided in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Wallace’s involvement in the resistance against the English began after the alleged murder of his wife. In some accounts, he has the credit of starting a strong uprising against the English occupants.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge that occurred in 1297 is notably one of the greatest achievements in his military career, where his tactical acumen helped the Scots to gain a significant victory over the English. He was also assigned as the Guardian of Scotland for a short tenure, shortly after that, Wallace was betrayed and captured in 1305.
He was executed in a brutal way because the English wanted to set an example of the consequences that one might suffer for rebelling against them. Although his legacy remains now, poems and epics have romanticized most of the historical accounts.
Is William Wallace a real person?
Indeed, William Wallace is a real person, who has leadership and resistance against English rule. He supposedly played a prominent role as a Scottish knight in the First War of Scottish Independence in the 13th century.
Is Robert Bruce a real person?
Yes, Rober Bruce is a historical figure, who’s a Scottish nobleman and one of the main leaders in the First War of Scottish Independence. He eventually became the king of Scotland and played a significant role in liberating his countrymen from invaders.
Is Isabella of France a real person?
Isabella of France is real, and she was a medical queen consort of England who was married to Edward II. But her involvement in William Wallace’s life has been dramatized in the film. Isabella was a prominent historical figure of that time but her connections with Wallace are certainly a matter of historical interpretation.
