Didn't Exist? Controversial Braveheart Detail Rejected By Medieval Expert

Braveheart may be a particularly inspiring historical film, but unfortunately, not every piece of history in the film is accurate to the time period.

In 1995, Mel Gibson starred in the inspirational and iconic film, Braveheart, which told the story of William Wallace fighting for Scotland's freedom against the British, however not every piece of history referenced in the film is actually historically accurate. While Braveheart succeeds in garnering emotion for the Scots struggle against the British, the film is notorious for embellishing and changing certain aspects of the real history. In one case, a Braveheart detail was not necessarily accurate for the film's time period and story, but also, may not have been real at all.

During Braveheart, a Scottish man named Morrison is getting married. However, the ceremony is interrupted when the English lord of the land arrives and argues that he has the right to enforce Jus Primae Noctis. Essentially, this law states that a feudal lord has the right to sleep with a wife on the eve of her wedding. Despite various protests, the English lord succeeds in taking away Morrison's wife, causing great upset for her and Morrison. Although Jus Primae Noctis is used to prove how cruelly the English used their power over the Scottish, this detail may not be entirely accurate to the true story of Braveheart.

Braveheart's Jus Primae Noctis Wasn't Real According To Medieval Expert

According to medieval historian Albrecht Classen in his book "The Medeival Chastity Belt: A Myth Making Process," the concept of Jus Primae Noctis never existed. He states that the myth most likely spread due to Shakespeare's use of it in his play "Henry V." Though it didn't exist, he clarifies that Shakespeare used the concept to indicate tyrannical rule. However, the idea of Jus Primae Noctis eventually spread over time, which explains why it would appear in Braveheart. Clearly, the creators of the movie not only didn't research whether the law existed in Scotland during the 1200s, but also didn't check that it existed at all.

The idea that Just Primae Noctis could exist mostly comes from other feudal laws and events that skirt around the concept. For example, many newly rich lords during the 17th century argued that they should be entitled to Just Primae Noctis, however their claims were promptly rejected. Additionally, the relationship between lords and subjects often included asking permission to marry or paying a fee, but none of this came close to a lord taking a bride on her wedding night.

Why Historians Believe Jus Primae Noctis (Or Droit Du Seigneur) Is A Myth

Medeival historians believe Jus Primae Noctis is a myth because there is no record of such a practice within medieval records. According to Classen, "not even one medieval chronicle, literary text, or law book addresses the Jus Primae Noctis." Furthermore, Classen explains that, oftentimes, myths that are as cruel and unusual as Jus Primae Noctis spread easier than other myths. This is because humans tend to use these myths to compare how modern civilization has improved so vastly from the past. Because past societies are so difficult to understand and interpret, it's easy for modern societies to assume they were barbaric and use myths to justify their own existence.

Jus Primae Noctis may be a useful plot device in Braveheart, proving how the English took advantage of and tortured the Scottish, however, in reality the law never truly existed. Not only were the Scots safe from English lords enforcing such a heinous rule, but the entire medieval world was as well. Yet again, Braveheart offered a flimsy version of history, however, the film still holds up in terms of inspirational movie pep talks and a very memorable blue-faced Mel Gibson.