History's Macbeth

11th century Scotland was a violent and troubled country. Feuding families and clans fought to control trade and territory.  The castle was the power base of each rival warlord or noble man or Thane.  Political murder and revenge killings were commonplace.  And on top of all that they had marauding Vikings and Norsemen constantly raiding the coast.

Macbeth did exist.  He was born into this violent world in 1005, son of the family that ruled Ross (see map).  His cousins murdered his own father.  Macbeth married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland.  They had no children and there is no historical evidence about Gruach's influence on her husband.

Duncan's rule had been ineffectual and unpopular.  He was only thirty-eight when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth, who was elected High King Of Scotland in 1040.  Macbeth ruled for seventeen years, the first ten as a competent, reforming king.  He gave Scotland a long period of comparative peace and stability.  There is no evidence that Macbeth dabbled in witchcraft, in fact he was a strong supporter of the Church.

Duncan's son Malcolm invaded Scotland in 1054 supported by Edward The Confessor.  Macbeth was killed on 15th August 1057 at Peel Ring. He was buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of Kings Of Scotland.