No Scot is unaware of the tale of William Wallace. Born in 1272, Wallace was a Scottish warrior who featured heavily in the Wars for Scottish Independence. Along with other Scottish heroes such as the warrior-king Robert the Bruce, he was instrumental in Scotland maintaining its freedom from English rule. A (heavily edited) version of Wallace’s story is featured in the highly popular film “Braveheart,” a film that is simultaneously loved and disdained by many people in Scotland in the modern day.

In Braveheart film, William Wallace (portrayed by Mel Gibson) carries a very unique looking William Wallace medieval sword. While not a historically accurate model, it was designed for the movie and has since become a very recognizable piece (many a new battle ready sword collector began by looking to own a version of the Braveheart sword). Loosely inspired by the Highland Claymore, the Braveheart sword sports a long, solid bodied blade with a straight guard and heavy pommel. The defining feature is the leather-wrapped riccasso, which allows a fighter to shorten up his grip and turn the board slashing weapon into a close range thrusting weapon. This distinctive battle ready sword will be recognizable to any fan of the movie

Excerpt from the Declaration of Arbroath (document of Scottish Independence)

For so long as there shall but one hundred of us remain alive we will never give consent to subject ourselves to the dominion of the English. For it is not glory, it is not riches, neither is it honours, but it is freedom alone that we fight and contend for, which no honest man will lose but with his life.