Braveheart

One of Disco Dave's pet peeves was the movie Braveheart. The film is historically inaccurate in many, many ways but one of the things that really pissed him off was that the film focuses on William Wallace and rewrites history around him. He points out that Robert the Bruce is fondly remembered as one of Scotland's greatest heroes and kings, and that he was in fact the real Braveheart. At Bannockburn he led his army into victory and Edward II, fled in fear of additional Scottish troops. The Scots gained their independence.

After the death of Edward II, Edward III, finally agreed to negotiate for peace, and Scotland became an independent kingdom. Robert-The-Brus' dying request was that his heart be cut out and placed in a small leaden casket. He wanted it taken on the crusades against the infidel. After his death on June 7, 1329, Sir James Douglas carried out his king's wish, and before each battle it was thrown into the battleground.

The heart was later returned to Scotland, and today is interred in Melrose Abbey. The Brus' remains are at Dunfermline Abbey.

"Robert-the-Brus lived to lock horns with three English kings, and because of his brave heart, Scotland won their freedom.The Brus' legacy will remain in the hearts of all Scots forever. Today he is remembered not only as Scotland's greatest warrior king, but the best-loved monarch in Scottish history. "

[cheers to Disco Dave for telling us the story and to random site for reminding me of the details.]