In 1280, English king Edward I conquers Scotland following the death of the Scots' king, leading to Young William Wallace witnessing the aftermath and later losing his father and brother when they resist the English. He leaves home to be raised by his uncle, Argyle, before secretly marrying his childhood friend Murron MacClannough. Her execution sparks a rebellion led by Wallace, who begins a fight for Scotland's independence with the help of Robert the Bruce, a contender for the Scottish crown.