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The Wallace Sword is a very large, two handed sword of a type that was not used until the late 15th century. In Wallace’s time, swords were much smaller and for use with one hand. Although this suggests that the sword in the monument is a fake, close inspection reveals that it may be made up from pieces of different swords fitted together. Part of this could have come from a smaller single handed sword.

Students could discuss the reasons listed in the clip which explain why Wallace’s sword may be a fake. Students could gather their own evidence about whether this was actually the sword of William Wallace and have a class debate. Students could find out if there are any other possible ‘fakes’ displayed in museums today.