Braveheart Movie Summary :: essays research papers

In 1280 A.D. Edward I of England, known as Longshanks, has occupied much of Scotland, and his oppressive rule in that location leads to the deaths of William Wallaces father and brother. Years later and after Wallace has grown up with his uncle outside of Scotland, the Scots continue to live under the harsh thumb of Longshanks cruel laws. Wallace returns, draped on living as a farmer and avoiding involvement in the ongoing Troubles. Wallace rekindles a romance with his childhood friend Murron after showing her the cautiously preserved thistle she gave him as a child, and the two marry in secret to avoid the primae noctis decree the King has set forth. After Wallace beats up a group of English soldiers attempting to rape Murron, the village Sheriff publicly cuts her throat before Wallace is able to save her. An enraged Wallace, with the assistance of his fellow townsmen, slaughters the English soldiers at the encampment, violent death the sheriff in the same manner that Murron was killed. He then orders the burning of the local English fort, and unintentionally kindles a Scottish rebellion.News of the rebellion spreads quickly, and hundreds of Scots from the contact clans volunteer to join Wallaces militia. Wallace leads his army through a series of successful battles against the English, including the Battle of Stirling and sacking the city of York. However, he is betrayed by the Scottish nobility and defeat at the Battle of Falkirk. He goes into hiding, fighting a guerrilla war against English forces and personally executes two Scottish nobles who betrayed him. Meanwhile, Princess Isabelle, whose husband Prince Edward (Longshankss effeminate son and heir) ignores her, meets with Wallace as the English Kings emissary. She and Wallace share a tryst, during which she conceives Wallaces child. Still believing there is some good in the nobility of his country, Wallace eventually agrees to meet with the Bruce. He is caught in a trap set by the elder Bruce and t he other nobles, beaten unconscious, and handed over to the English Crown. Robert the Bruce is enraged by his fathers treachery, and disowns him forever.In London, Wallace is brought before the English magistrates and tried for high treason. He denies the charges, reasoning that he had never accepted Edward as his King. The court responds by sentencing him to be purified by pain. Later, in a London square, William Wallace is brutally tortured to death, being alternately hanged, racked, and finally disembowelled alive.