Posted on 09/16/2014 2:10:48 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
It is one of the tragedies of recent cultural history that, thanks to Mel Gibson's preposterous movie "Braveheart," the world knows more about William Wallace's short-lived Scottish rebellion of 1296-97 than about Robert the Bruce. For it was Bruce who, after 18 years of plotting and war making, finally threw off the yoke of the English king and consolidated a sense of Scottish identity.
"Never will we on any conditions be subjected to the lordship of the English," said the Declaration of Arbroath, a diplomatic letter commissioned by Bruce in 1320. "It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom—for that alone, which no honest man gives up save with life itself." It can hardly be coincidence that next week's referendum on Scottish independence from Great Britain will take place an even 700 years after the little nation shattered the English army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
Misguided though I think the Scottish nationalists are, I can't help feeling grateful for any occasion to contemplate one of Western civilization's greatest lives and most thrilling battles.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
“thanks to Mel Gibson’s preposterous movie “Braveheart,”
Stopped reading right there...
Thanks.
Mel Gibson shows the side of England that they’d just as soon have everyone overlook. While “The Patriot” was a bit goofy (”Braveheart” comes to America), one of his early acting parts was in a movie (”Gallipoli”) about the battle that helped define Australia as a nation, determined to never again let an English government squander their young men in such an exercise in futility. 25 years later, when the Japanese went on a tear and threatened Australia itself, they had to rely on American troops to protect them since England wouldn’t release their own troops from the war in the desert. Since then, Australia has realized their future lies in the Pacific (including the US), not in Europe.
I’ve read the supposedly definitive bios of both men. Bruce at one time had literally lost all his soldiers, was literally alone and chased through Scotland, while his wife and daughter were held in cages dangling outside an English castle. I can’t find from these what, if any, role Bruce had in betraying Wallace, but his story after that is wildly inspirational.
The pledge, which appears on the front of the Daily Record newspaper, has been signed by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
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"We want to let you know how very much we value our relationship and friendship."Of course regardless of your decision that will never change, however, my sincere hope is that you will vote to renew our historic bond which has been such a success over the centuries and the envy of the entire world.
"What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."
Inverness (pronounced /ɪnvərˈnɛs/ About this sound listen; from the Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis pronounced [iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ], meaning "Mouth of the River Ness") is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. Inverness lies near two important battle sites: the 11th century battle of Blàr nam Fèinne against Norway which took place on The Aird and the 18th century Battle of Culloden which took place on Culloden Moor. It is the northernmost city in the United Kingdom
It was a movie.
It was a good movie. But like all “stories” there is a perspective. I don’t think it was preposterous. I also don’t believe it was entirely accurate.
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