Posted on 03/30/2005 1:06:55 PM PST by dead
LONDON - One of Scotland's national treasures, the 5-foot sword wielded by William Wallace, the rebel leader portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film "Braveheart," left its homeland for the first time in more than 700 years Wednesday.
The double-handed weapon that belonged to Wallace will be the centerpiece of an exhibition at New York's Grand Central Station during Tartan Day celebrations, which begin later this week.
Mick Brown a specialist remover prepares to pack William Wallace's sword at the Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland Wednesday March 30, 2005. The sword will leave Scotland Wednesday for the first time in more than 700 years, travelling to the United States as part of the country's Tartan Day celebrations being held in April. Members of Stirling Council met earlier this month to decide whether to allow the national treasure make the trip to New York, where it will form the centerpiece of an exhibition. (AP Photo/Andrew Milligan, PA)
This year marks the 700th anniversary of the execution of Wallace, who led the Scots in their battle to free themselves from English rule and whose story was brought to the screen by Mel Gibson in the 1995 film "Braveheart." The film won five Academy Awards.
"This is an historic moment. It is the first time in 700 years that a relic of this importance has left these shores," said Colin O'Brien, a Scottish official accompanying the sword to the United States.
The 6-pound weapon will be returned to its home at the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland, after the celebrations.
Wallace's sword was kept at Dumbarton Castle for 600 years. King James IV is said to have paid for it to be given a new hilt in 1505.
Too Cool! Too Cool! :)
Well at least we don't have to worry about the Muslims getting any new ideas /sarc
6 pounds is what it costs to see it.
Aye, Laddie. Lift that kilt, moon the buggers, and charge through them like a hot knife through butter.
OOPS my error - thats April 2nd thru April 10th.
Scots-Irish ping
At this website www.macallenarmourers.com/wallace_sword.htm it displays, and sells, an exact replica.
64 inches
8 pounds
Heavy piece of steel. Would've hit like a ton of bricks.
A sword of 16 pounds would be more likely.
Too bad this didn't find Longshanks heart!
6 pounds is how much the person who saw it pointed at him left on the battlefield.
6 lb. solid cannon shot
What's the cut-off (no pun intended) date? Mr. HR would be THRILLED to see this!
Here's a link from google that gives about a one page synopsis on the sword:
http://www.tartans.com/modules.php.srl.op+modload,name+News,file+article,sid+113,mode+thread,order+0,thold+0.html
There's a great book called "In Freedom's Cause" about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce with an accurate portrayal written from the perspective of a fictional character. I've read this quite a few times; it's hard to put down. There's now an online version of it here...
http://gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=5891
Very cool. "Braveheart" is an amazing movie, one of the all-time greats.
You are both wrong. Where do you get the idea that med. European swords are overly heavy?
Very good movie but a lot of Scots hate it for its inaccuracies. As a Brit I like it a lot despite the theme (I mean it happened a heck of a long time ago after all).
I did not like the Patriot at all. All that church burning was total BS.
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