Braveheart Movie Summary :: essays research papers

In 1280 A.D. Edward I of England, know as Longshanks, has occupied much of Scotland, and his oppressive rule there leads to the deaths of William Wallaces breed 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, absorbed on living as a farmer and avoiding involvement in the ongoing Troubles. Wallace rekindles a romance with his childhood friend Murron after wake her the carefully 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 beatniks up a group of face soldiers attempting to rape Murron, the village Sheriff publically cuts her throat before Wallace is able to save her. An enraged Wallace, with the assistance of his accomplice townsmen, slaughters the position soldiers at the encampment, killing the sheriff in the same manner that Murron was killed. H e then orders the burning of the local English fort, and unintentionally kindles a sparing rebellion.News of the rebellion spreads quickly, and hundreds of Scots from the surrounding clans volunteer to join Wallaces militia. Wallace leads his legions through a series of successful battles against the English, including the conflict of Stirling and sacking the urban center of York. However, he is betrayed by the Scottish nobility and defeated at the Battle of Falkirk. He goes into hiding, fighting a guerrilla war against English forces and in person 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 honorable in the nobility of his country, Wallace eventually agrees to meet with the Bruce. He is caught in a trap set by the el der Bruce and the other nobles, beaten unconscious, and turn over 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 recognised 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.