Macbeth+the+King


 * Macbeth, King of Scots **

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 * ** Reign ** || 1030- 1057 ||
 * ** Died ** || 15th August 1057 ||
 * ** Spouse ** || Gruoch ||
 * ** Nickname ** || “The Red King” [4 ] ||

** Mac Bethad Mac Findlaich (1005-1057) **


Anglicised as ‘Macbeth’, the life of the king has been shrouded in misinformation due largely to Shakespearian embellishment and outright fabrication. [4] The true King Macbeth, lived during a fractured and tumultuous time in Scottish history. [10] The now unified country was divided into kingdoms; most notably, Moray and Alba. Both of which, Macbeth drew heritage from. This Macbeth was economically skillful and militarily strong. He was of great importance to the Scottish narrative. [10]



** Lineage **
Macbeth's claim to the throne(s) was through both his patriarchal and matriarchal lines. His Father, Findláech Ruaidrí was the King, or Mormaer, of Moray until his untimely demise in 1020. [1] His mother, Donada, was said to be the daughter of King Malcolm II. [10] Due to this, Macbeth had a rightful claim to both the throne of Alba and Moray.

As well as his royal heritage, Macbeth married Gruoch ingen Boite. [2] Althought the Annals of Ulster do not record her date of birth, they do acknowledge her as being the daughter of Boite mac Cináeda and granddaughter of Cináed III (Kenneth, King of the Scots). [2] She served as the inspiration for Lady Macbeth, however, as little is known about her, the character is nearly completely imagined. These details regarding rights to the throne, are the most important for separating history’s Macbeth from the usurping character of Shakespeare’s play.


 * Regicide **

There are two incidents of regicide in during Macbeth’s life. The first involves the end of his fathers reign in 1020. His father’s murder was perpetrated by the three sons of his own brother; Macbeths cousins. The eldest of the brothers then took the throne. [8]

The second may have been at the hand of Macbeth himself. After His fathers death and the throne being taken by his cousin, he began serving as Duke for King Duncan I of Alba, due to his marital connections. Duncan was thought to be very young at the time of his coronation, and Macbeth was likely the power behind the throne. [6] The young King lead a disastrous march to Durham, that ended in much of his forces being killed. He, however, survived to lead an army again the next year. [9] This next expedition was also ill fated. When Duncan decided to march his army into Macbeth’s homeland of Moray, he is recorded to have been killed under the direct orders of Macbeth. Macbeth did indeed take the throne upon return. [1]

** Pilgrimage **
As a testament to the strong hold he had on his kingdom, Macbeth was able to go on a pilgrimage to Rome. This journey may have lasted up to 12 months. Its purpose, according to the annals was philanthropic. [3] This is a further testament to his strength as a leader. In the 4 decades preceding his reign, 5 kings had been crowned, however Macbeth was on the throne for 17 years and could comfortably leave for an extended period of time. [2]

** Legacy **
Very few of the characteristics that we associate with Macbeth prove to be based on any evidence. He was, at times, cunning, but proved a worthy ruler. Coming from a tumultuous time in Northern European history, Macbeth became King of the Scots and improved his countries wealth and greatly increased its stability.

** References **
1. The Annals of Tigernach, 1996 CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, retrieved 20-08-2011

2. The Annals of Ulster, AD 431-1201, CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, retrieved 24-08-2011

3. Anderson, Allan Orr, Early sources of Scottish History: AD 500-1286, 2 Volscian, Edinburgh University Press, Vol. I., pp. 34-45

4. Andrew Wyntoun, Original Chronicle, Ed. F.J. amours, Vol. 4' pp298-299 and 300-301

5. Bolton, Timothy, 2009, The Empire of Cnut the Great: Conquest and the Consolidation of Power in Northern Europe in the Early Eleventh Century, The Northern World. North Europe and the Baltic c. 400-1700 A.D: Peoples, Economics and Cultures, Vol 40, Leiden Brill

6. Duncan, A. A. M. 2002. The Kinship of the Scots 842 - 1292: Succession and Independence. Edinburgh University Press 7. Hudson, Benjamin T. 1992. Prophecy of Berchan, P. 91 stanzas 193 and 194

8. Hudson, Benjamin T. 1994. King of Celtic Scotland, Westport Press

9. Kenneth, Jackson, 1957. The Duan Alanach. The Scottish Historical Review Vol. 36, No. 122, part 2 (Oct, 1957), pp. 125-137. Edinburgh University Press.

10. Skene, William Forbes, Ed. 1867, Chronicles of the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots and other Memorials of Scottish History, Edinburgh: Edinburgh General Register House. Stable URL: []

11. Reeves, William, 1860. On Marianus Scotus, of Ratisborn. Royal British Academy