Braveheart: Fact Or Fiction?

The fall of William Wallace was a sad story. He was abandoned by his former comrades and became a desperate leader of a small band of men. The film shows that Wallace was betrayed before his death, they just got a few details incorrect.

Following the defeat at Falkirk, Wallace’s reputation was in tatters. The Scottish nobility were desperate for a peace agreement with Edward. This was reached at Strathord in 1304. One man not included in the negotiations was the infamous William Wallace. His former comrades betrayed him and agreed to hunt him down.

They did not succeed in capturing him, that honour fell to the Scottish knight, John de Menteith. Wallace was his friend and the godfather of two of his sons. As Wallace was sleeping at Robroyston, Mentieth, a group of sworn men seized the Scottish hero. He put up a fight but was ultimately outnumbered.

It was a cruel end for such a fierce defender of Scotland. In one last twist, Wallace only gave up resistance under assurances from Mentieth that he would be taken to Dumbarton castle. This was a lie and Mentieth led him to Edward.

I know, that Mentieth was a piece of work.