Mel Gibson's Braveheart: Warfare In The Medieval World

Braveheart directed by Mel Gibson who was also the main character, Sir William Wallace, was a portrayal of the Anglo-Scottish wars and the certain battles William Wallace fought in. It is a very good film and although it has a very good representation of medieval Scottish society and the conflict with the English at the time, it isn’t to be taken as a movie that is completely factual, as Hollywood must bend the truth sometimes to reel in viewers. In this essay, a complete analysis of Braveheart will be incorporated comparing it using Warfare in the Medieval World written by Brian Carey. In the beginning of the movie, William Wallace is shown as a young boy who sees his father and a group of men devising a plan onto who will be King of Scotland next. The time frame begins in 1276 and although …show more content…
The Battle of Stirling Bridge portrayed in the movie doesn’t even show a bridge where the real battle actually took place and misrepresents the actual battle tactics used. The English turned their full attention to the Scottish once they heard of them recapturing parts of Northern Scotland. The Battle of Stirling Bridge was more or less an ambush by the scots following the English starting to cross the bridge in an effort to stop the Scottish advance. The Movie shows the two forces line up head to head on a plain flanking the English with the Scottish cavalry. Historically, the battle began when English troops crossing the bridge only wide enough for two men to stand next to each other at the same time, were ambushed from the Scottish who were on the Abbey Craig, overlooking the bridge from over a mile away. The Scottish spearmen charged once Wallace gave the order and attacked the English Heavy cavalry allowing a counterattack against the English Infantry. Most of the English died and some fled but overall it was a Scottish Victory in