Braveheart has always been one of my favorite historical epics. The story of William Wallace’s fight for freedom against English rule is incredibly moving, and those sweeping landscapes and rousing battle cries really pull you in. But as much as I love the film, I’ve come to realize that it gets a lot of the history wrong.
The movie takes some pretty big liberties with the facts—ones that might make you cringe if you know the real story. From key character details to major events, Braveheart really bends history to fit its narrative. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest inaccuracies in this Hollywood classic.
1. William Wallace Wasn’t A Poor Highlander
In Braveheart, Wallace is shown as a poor farmer living in the rugged Scottish Highlands. In reality, Wallace was born into a noble family in the Lowlands of Scotland. His upbringing would have been quite different from the simple life depicted in the movie, and he likely spoke French or Latin, as many nobles did at the time.
2. Kilts Didn’t Exist In The 13th Century
One of the film’s most iconic visuals is the tartan kilt worn by Wallace and his men. However, kilts as we know them today didn’t appear until several centuries later. During Wallace’s time, Scottish warriors would have worn tunics and cloaks, not the plaid kilts that the movie made famous.
3. Prima Nocta Is A Myth
A central plot point in Braveheart is the English practice of “prima nocta,” where lords supposedly had the right to sleep with a commoner’s bride on their wedding night. There’s no historical evidence that this ever occurred in Scotland or England, making this one of the most controversial fabrications in the film.
4. Edward I Didn’t Die While Wallace Was Alive
The movie depicts Wallace’s rebellion as the main event that shook the reign of England’s Edward I, even implying that the king died shortly after Wallace’s execution. In truth, Edward I lived for two years after Wallace’s death and continued his brutal campaign against Scotland.
5. Robert the Bruce Didn’t Betray Wallace
In Braveheart, Robert the Bruce is portrayed as a reluctant leader who betrays Wallace to gain favor with the English. Historically, Robert the Bruce did not betray Wallace. In fact, he was a staunch supporter of Scottish independence and played a key role in eventually securing Scotland’s freedom.
6. The Battle Of Stirling Bridge Omitted The Bridge
One of the film’s most famous battles, the Battle of Stirling, is shown taking place in an open field. In reality, this battle occurred at a bridge, which gave Wallace and his men a strategic advantage. By omitting this key detail, the movie misses a critical aspect of Wallace’s victory.
7. Wallace’s Love Life Was Highly Fictionalized
The romance between Wallace and Princess Isabella of France adds emotional depth to Braveheart, but it’s pure fiction. Isabella would have been only a child during the events of the film and never crossed paths with Wallace. Any connection between the two is a Hollywood invention.
8. Wallace Wasn’t A Lone Hero
While the film portrays Wallace as a singular figure leading the Scottish rebellion, he wasn’t acting alone. Many other noblemen and leaders were involved in the resistance against English rule. Wallace was a major figure, but the fight for Scottish independence was a collective effort.
9. Wallace’s Execution Was Even More Brutal
The film doesn’t shy away from showing the brutality of Wallace’s execution, but even so, it tones down the full horror. In reality, Wallace was hanged, drawn, and quartered in a particularly gruesome and prolonged manner—one of the most brutal punishments in medieval England.
10. The Timeline Is Condensed
Braveheart dramatically condenses historical events that spanned several decades. The First War of Scottish Independence, of which Wallace was a part, took place over a much longer period than the film suggests. Events that seem to happen in rapid succession were actually spaced out by many years.
11. Scottish Face Paint Wasn’t A Thing
One of the film’s most striking images is Wallace and his men wearing blue face paint before battle. However, this practice dates back to ancient Celtic tribes like the Picts, who lived in Scotland long before Wallace’s time. By the 13th century, face paint was no longer used by Scottish warriors.
12. The Battle Speeches Are Fictional
Wallace’s rousing speeches before battle are a memorable part of Braveheart, but they are largely fictional. While Wallace was a respected leader, there’s no historical record of any of the speeches portrayed in the film. These moments were invented to heighten the film’s dramatic impact.
13. The English Weren’t The Sole Enemy
While Braveheart frames the conflict as a battle between Scots and the English, the situation was far more complex. Scotland was divided by internal feuds, and Scottish nobles often had conflicting interests. Wallace had to contend with both English forces and political infighting among his own countrymen.
14. William Wallace Wasn’t Known As Braveheart
Surprisingly, the nickname “Braveheart” wasn’t associated with Wallace at all. It was actually used to describe Robert the Bruce, who is said to have asked for his heart to be carried into battle after his death. The film took this title and applied it to Wallace, forever linking the name with him in popular culture.
15. Wallace Wasn’t Always Seen As A Hero
In the movie, Wallace is hailed as a hero from start to finish. But during his lifetime, Wallace’s reputation was more complicated. Some Scottish nobles viewed him as reckless or dangerous, and his actions weren’t universally supported. It was only after his death that he became a symbol of Scottish resistance.
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Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
