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Macbeth, Mormaer of Moray 1032-1057, King of Scotland 1040-1057, was born the son of Findlaech, Mormaer of Moray, who was of the Cenel nGabrain sect of the Scots of Dalriada. The
name or title of mormaer has caused some confusion amongst modern
historians in that most accept it's meaning to be leader, strongman
or warlord. There is evidence however, that the Irish themselves regarded
that title to be applied to kingship and there is further evidence
that they regarded Moray as a kingdom in it's own right. |
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In the year 1020 Macbeth's cousins slew Findlaech leaving him and his mother to be looked after by grandfather Malcolm for their own protection. During this time of growing and learning, young Macbeth, no doubt, had to listen to stories from his mother of all that could have been, and, all that would have been had his father lived. Anyone who has a mother will know exactly what I mean . To add to the uncertainty, also staying at the very same court were two other young men with mothers who undoubtedly nurtured the same ambitious dreams for their children, for both had the same strong claim to the throne of Scotland. One was Thorfinn son of the Jarl of Caithness and Orkney and the other Duncan son of Crinnan, Mormaer of Atholl. As they all grew up no doubt their ambitions grew with them for their lives and fortunes were the central features of Scotland's destiny and Shakespeare's tragedy. |
Macbeth, eventually, was to hunt down the men who had killed his father and the death of Gillacomgain, the usurper, was not the nicest of ways to die, for he and his men were trapped inside their stronghold which was then torched. There were no survivors. Macbeth now had a little problem to add to the two existing larger ones, i.e. Duncan and Thorfinn. The late Mormaer left a widow and young son, Lulach, who could potentially be added to his list of enemies. This situation couldn't be allowed to carry on, so, with his mother's aid and prodding no doubt, Macbeth wooed the widow. Thus Macbeth and Gruach, widow of Gillacomgain, and relative of Malcolm II were wed. Lulach her son was now stepson and heir to Macbeth |
Now only Thorfinn to the north and that impetuous Duncan who was now King, stood between Macbeth and the throne. Thorfin's ambitions for the Sutherland domain caused Macbeth much anxiety for there were many skirmishes between those opposing factions, so much so, that King Duncan led two expeditions against the northern leader and even he was soundly trounced. Macbeth also had the continuous raids from the Viking brethern of Thorfinn along his shores to solve so he himself was kept pretty busy. Duncan who should have been helping had his mind on greater things, for much to the anger of the nobility, he headed south into Northumbria on a glory hunt, hoping to add to the lands of Scotland, only to be beaten outside Durham. It was on his way back north that Duncan was set upon by certain Scottish nobles and killed at Pitgaveny near Elgin. If this was the work of Macbeth or Thorfinn, or both in collusion, we don't know but both had good reason. Certain Orkney sources say Thorfinn was the man, others including Shakespeare give Macbeth the blame. Needless to say the deed would not go unpunished for Duncan's two young sons fled south to Northumbria for protection with Siward, thus setting off the widow/son relationship once more. It's curious that Siward, who had just been attacked by their father should take under his wing this family, although there was a relationship through marriage. No doubt some historians out there amongst you will have an answer to that one. |
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Macbeth was now declared King and with Gruach by his side he built Scotland into a prosperous nation over the next seventeen years. It would appear that Macbeth was a popular ruler amongst the people but history tells us that there must have been enemies in and around the nobles, for whatever reason, we now know that many left Macbeth' s side to follow Malcolm, son of Duncan, when he made his move to topple the King, but more of that later. Macbeth being a religious man, had much of his time taken up with church matters, for at that period in history Rome was consolidating it's grip on every possible kingdom that it could make inroads into.Thus we would have found at court the customary priest making sure Rome's ambition was infused with the policies of that country or viceversa as the case was to prove so often down through the centuries. |
According to the religious interpretation of the time, the ' Second Coming ' was about to happen and Macbeth was obliged to make the pilgrimage to Rome for the great event. Well, it didn't happen so Macbeth returned home until he was called upon again at the next expected date. On this second occasion he negotiated a hostage agreement with Thorfinn, who happened to be going also, so that there would be no nonsense whilst both were away from their respective Domains. Whether they went together or just met up over there we don't know for history doesn't tell us, but for such a mindblowing event it does seem possible, for no doubt most of the world's rulers of the Christian persuasion would be there. Sources do tell that Macbeth was throwing his money around the poor like confetti. On his return from that nonevent Macbeth settled down to business as usual and that he attempted a seaborne attack against Thorfinn on Orkney. This resulted in failure, for Thorfinn was once again to prove a hard nut to crack. |
It was now young Malcolm's turn to avenge a father and grandfather, for Crinnan of Atholl had risen up in revolt against Macbeth only to forfeit his life in the cause of his grandson, and, with the help of Siward he invaded Scotland and inflicted a defeat on Macbeth at Dunsinnan. Macbeth retreated north, with his foes who increased in strength day by day, close on his heels. At Lumphanan near Aberdeen Macbeth turned at bay with his ever decreasing forces for what was to be his last stand. He was slain in battle, dying a warrior's death, and the customary beheading took place. His head was mounted on a spear tip for the benefit of Malcolm and displayed to the victorious survivors. Now Malcolm had only Lulach and Thorfinn to deal with but that's another story. So ended the true Celtic bloodline with the death of Macbeth. The one thing which really baffles me about this story is 'where did all the friends go' ? 'What made such a successful ruler suddenly become so unpopular' ? and 'why did the nobility turn against the man who had brought their country such long prosperity and stability' ? Thanks to Shakespeare a part of Scottish history, which would probably have been dead and buried, is now one of the most talked about subjects in English literature the world over. |
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