The actual sword that has been traditionally credited as being that of Sir William wallace is housed in the New National Wallace Monument, located in Stifling.
The sword is 66" in overall length and the blade is 52" long.
Here is a link to a very brief article on the sword:
http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/sword.htm
I must respectfully disagree with Angelus. Such swords were widely used through out Europe in the Middle Ages. They were generally carried in sheaths slung across the back and there was usually a leather guard laced to the upper part of the blade to prvent users from slicing their own necks during the draw.
i really don't know how late these swords were in general use in Europe, but a significant number of Cortez's troops in the conquest of Mexico were armed with Twp-Handed Broadswords.
The article on Wallace's Sword mentions the assumption that Wallace had to have been a giant, at least 6'5" tall. Perhaps he was o above average stature, but the sword is not an indicator of such. I've watched trained swordsmen sparring with swords of similar or longer length. These young fellows were of average height, certainly no more than six feet or so. Their skill with these huge blades was dazzling. Not only did they make full use of the two-handed hilt, but they also took advantage or the leather wrappingss in some movements.
Historically speaking I admit that Braveheart was a fairly poor effort. Hell! They left the bridge out of the Battle of Sterling BRIDGE!! However the use of the two-handed broadsword was not incorrect.
Max, what Angelus was referring to about invention of the kilts was probably the fact that no Scot was ever depicted in a work of art wearing a great kilt prior to the late 1500's. The Litle Kilt was allegedly invented in the 1720's but there is plenty of evidence to refute this late date. Matt Newsome, one of the leading kilt experts in the United States, calls the claim that the ittle kilt was invented by an English factory owner total poppycock. I take Matt's word for it. The man's scholarship is undoubted.
Angelus is right about Scots not being above going into battle less than fully dressed. It was not uncommon for Highlanders to lay aside their great kilts and fight in their shirts only. In fact one battle between Clanranald, and Lord lovat and 300 Frasers was known as the Battle of the Field of Shirts. The battle took place on 3 July, 1544, a very hot day. Men of both sides threw aside their great kilts to fight fiercely, almost annihilating each other. According to some reports only 4 of the 300 Frasers survived, while only ten of 800 Clanranald survived.
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/genhist/hist32.html
Doc
-- Angelus Uggae (12.158.118.99) -- 12/9/09 08:28