Macbeth: An Historical Novel of the Last Celtic King

By Robert Harrison

Macbeth is one of the greatest plays ever written, but Shakespeare's depiction of Macbeth bears little resemblance to the truth. The real Macbeth lived in a time of constant battle between those Scots who followed the Celtic system of electing the King, and those who followed the English system of Inheriting the crown in the direct line of succession. Macbeth and Duncan were both grandsons of King Malcolm, but when the King named Duncan as his successor, it caused great resentment, resulting in a protracted war between the clans. When Duncan proved to be a weak and foolish King, the stage was set for a final battle that would come to define Scotland and its people for generations. In 'Macbeth, the last Celtic King', the fog of history is finally lifted, and the true Macbeth is revealed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462016136

Robert Harrison

Robert Harrison is also a sketch artist, sculptor, painter and history buff who was born and grew up on the land his grandparents homesteaded near the turn of the twentieth century. He and his wife live in the beautiful Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico, near Ruidoso.

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL CHARACTERS

~ 1 ~

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

~ 2 ~

THE AWAKENING

~ 3 ~

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

~ 4 ~

THE DEATH OF FINDLAECH

~ 5 ~

MACBETH MEETS THORFINN

~ 6 ~

MACBETH-THE WAR LEADER

~ 7 ~

THE FATE OF

GRUACH’S FATHER

~ 8 ~

THE BATTLE FOR THE

LOTHIAN PLAIN

~ 9 ~

GILLECOMGAIN’S FATE

~ 10 ~

THE MORMAER ELECTION

~ 11 ~

DUNCAN’S ASCENSION

~ 12 ~

MACBETH ELECTED

HIGH KING

~ 13 ~

THE MATTER OF BRUDE

~ 14 ~

FIRST BATTLE TO

DEFEND THE THRONE

~ 15 ~

THE BATTLE OF THE

SEVEN SLEEPERS

~ 16 ~

THE JOURNEY ENDS

EPILOGUE

GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION

The Middle Ages in Britain was a thousand year period of violent societal changes. It was a time of transition from close-knit tribal groups and family clans, with multiple chieftains, kings and sub-kings into a monarchial, land-holding feudal system. It was a bloody time, marked by provincial conflicts in the constant struggle for power, and predatory raids from across the seas.

In Britain, Scotland was born. First called Pictland for the aboriginal Picts who inhabited the north of Britain, it was then named Caledonia by the Romans after one of the Pictish tribes. When the Dal Riata Irish immigrated, it was known by the Gaelic name, Alba. Over time, it came to be known as Scotland from the latin Scotti for Irish.

To understand the complexity in telling the story of Macbeth, even in novel form, it helps to know the amalgamation of cultures that became Scotland.

Along with the native Picts who merged with the immigrating Irish, there was a strong Nordic connection from the Orkney Islands in the form of raids, settlements, and marriage. Danes also raided from the east and a Dane, (Cnute) even became King of all Britain. Also from across the channel were the Anglo, Saxon and Norman influence, which strongly weighed in on the development of Scotland.

Religion was a curious combination of Celtic paganism, with a strong Catholic influence. In the age of Macbeth, the populace was mostly embracing a less conventional form of Catholicism.

The culture of the Celts had an almost democratic flair. Although there were many battles between the clans, the chieftains had the power to elect Kings who, if shown to be incompetent, could be removed by chieftains and clergy, or by murder. Women held powerful positions, and in many situations had equal or more power than men.

The basis for this story is the conflict between Celtic and English tradition concerning the making of a King. On the death of a sitting King, Macbeth strongly believed in electing a King from a collateral branch of the royal kin, resulting generally in a competent man becoming King. The weakness in this system is the temptation for the potential nominee to kill anyone who might stand in the way of his own ascension.

The system practiced in England and Europe was that of primogeniture, a patrilinear form of ascension whereby the eldest son, on the death of the sitting King, is made King. This eliminates somewhat the temptation to kill, but may well result in an incompetent King.

In researching for this story, I relied mostly on two excellent books. Macbeth, Man and Myth by Nick Aitchison is an in-depth study of Macbeth in both historical and mythical context. It is complete, easy to read and to understand. Celtic Warrior Chiefs by John Matthews and Bob Stewart aided me in this book as well as my previous work, Boudicca, Furie of the Celts. I am grateful to these authors for their great work.

The consensus seems to be that Macbeth was not the usurper of Shakespeare’s great tragedy but could, under the circumstances, have been justified in taking the throne from Duncan. And Duncan was not the benevolent King as is portrayed in that play, but was instead an incompetent King, who was responsible for several ill-conceived attacks to expand his realm, resulting in thousands of needless deaths.

There have been numerous presentations of Macbeth based on Shakespeare’s work, but fewer attempts to portray him in a more realistic light, whether in literature, on stage or in film. Although this is a novel largely consisting of conjecture, all available history was incorporated in the telling. It is my hope that it might present the maligned King more as an historical figure.

HISTORICAL CHARACTERS

Kenneth III: Ard Righ (High King), slain by Malcolm II to gain the Kingship of Alba (later Scotland) Grandfather of Gruach.

Malcolm II: King after Kenneth III, Grandfather of Duncan, Macbeth and Thorfinn.

Macbeth: Second grandson of King Malcolm II.

Findlaech macRuaridh: (Finlay macRory) Mormaer (Great Steward) of Moray, Macbeth’s father.

Donada: Second daughter of King Malcolm II, Macbeth’s mother.

MaelBrigte: Findlaech’s brother.

Gillecomgain: (Gilligan) cousin of Macbeth, son of MaelBrigte,

Malcolm macBrigte: (mac Bright) Gillecomgain’s older brother.

Bodhe: (Bode or Boite) Son of Kenneth III, father of Gruach.

Gruach: (Gro-ah) Wife of (1) Gillecomgain, (2) Macbeth.

Lulach: (Lu-Lak) Son of Gruach w/Gillecomgain

Maelcolm: (Malcolm macBodhe) Brother of Gruach, murdered.

Thorfinn: Son of King Malcolm’s third daughter and strong ally to his cousin, Macbeth, he became the powerful Jarl (Earl) of Orkney Islands, Sutherland and Caithness.

Sigurd: Norse Jarl of Orkney and father of Thorfinn.

Duncan: Eldest son of King Malcolm’s eldest daughter.

Crinan: Mormaer of Athol, Abbot of Dunkeld and father of Duncan, killed by Macbeth in battle.

Bethoc: First daughter of Malcolm II, Mother of Duncan.

Malcolm Canmore: Son of Duncan. Gained the Kingship after killing

Macbeth. Married Thorfinn’s widow, Ingibjorg.

 ~ 1 ~

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Malcolm stood above the wounded King, sword upraised. No words were spoken, for they both knew the penalty of defeat. The blade whistled in its swiftness, and the bloody head of Kenneth rolled in the mud. Malcolm had caught the High King at Monzievaird with his forces divided, and the determined men of Athol won the battle to seat one of their own on the throne of Scotland.

_____________________________

As the High King met his death, far to the north on the banks of the river Dee, a life had begun whose destiny was ordained by the outcome of the battle at Monzievaird. Findlaech macRuaridh, Mormaer of Moray, held his newborn son and looked down at his smiling wife, Donada.

He’s a fine lad, Findlaech said proudly. He touched the baby’s nose. You, my laddie, will be Ard Righ one day.

But how shall we call him? Donada said. Shall it be as Kenneth that he be named?

Nae, Findlaech said. By the grace o’ God did ye’ gie’ him life. Ye’re his life as ye’re mine. Therefore, he shall be called son o’ life. We shall call him Macbeth.

Two days after the battle, a young warrior came to the timber dun. The servant who saw him approach ran to the bedchamber.

Sir, your nephew, Gillecomgain comes t’ the gate, he said. Will ye’ see him?

Bring him t’ me at once, Findlaech said. He may have a missive from the Ard Righ.

A tall, red-haired youth strode into the bedchamber, still grimy from a hard, sixty-mile ride.

It’s sorry I am for this intrusion, Uncle, Gillecomgain said. ’Tis a dark day for the Moray House. The King is slain, and as I speak, his murderer rides to Scone seeking support o’ clan and clergy t’ mount the Stone o’ Destiny.

A dark day it may be, but the darkness falls equally on all, Findlaech said. I canna’ say the Moray’s will be the worse for it.

Ye’ speak as though an Athol, Gillecomgain said, raising his voice in his anger, and ye’d abandon ye’r heritage in the Moray house. ’Tis treachery I hear. Would ye’ deny the King, even if we must seat another Athol on the throne?

Findlaech’s hand flew to his dagger, but he hesitated.

Because ye’re cyn, he said, I will forbear your insolence, but ye’d do well t’ choose ye’r words with greater care, or my forbearance will surpass its limits. I’ll rule the land o’ Moray as it suits the people.

The father o’ ye’r own wife has just murdered our King! Gillecomgain yelled.

Kenneth was a just man, Findlaech said, but had become weak, or ’twould be Malcolm lying on the field. Nae murder. The cause o’ the King’s death was his own temerity. E’en though he be Athol, Malcolm must be chosen King for the good o’ Alba.

Gillecomgain pounded his fist into his palm. Bodhe is the rightful tanist for High King, he said, but he canna’ be such without the support o’ the Mormaer o’ Moray. Ye’ must place the power o’ ye’r name wi’ him.

I’ll not shame our people by defying sacred tradition. Nae son o’ a High King has ever mounted the Stone o’ Destiny. T’ do so would unite nobles and abbots for a single purpose, t’ depose the usurper. Naming Bodhe as tanist might well have taken the King down the path o’ his own destruction. Nae, ’twill be Malcolm who rules as Ard Righ.

Then I’ll convey t’ the Morays that ye’ no longer hold allegiance t’ them, but now stand firm behind Malcolm.

Ye’ll keep your tongue in that head or ye’ll lose it, Findlaech said. Though I stand first for Alba, I still steward the clans o’ Moray.

Ye’ canna’ oversee Moray from south o’ the mounth. Nae one can. Ye’ have only t’ cross the Dee to see the cattle o’ the enemy.

Dinna’ concern ye’rself with my wellbeing, Findlaech said. My house is still in Nairn, attended by the faithful hands o’ my cyn. Now, either rest the night or get ye’ gone, whilst I ready myself for the ride t’ Scone.

I’ll leave this house gladly, Gillecomgain said, "for ’tis too near the land o’ Athol to provide any comfort in sleep.

Gillecomgain stormed from the room, choosing to ride through the night rather than accept the hospitality of his uncle.

Findlaech, and his ten warriors arrived late at Scone for the choosing of the High King, and the chieftains were already forming along provincial lines. The largest group was that of Moray, who gathered in support of the slain King Kenneth and his second son Bodhe, while Crinan and other clan leaders of Athol were scrambling among the province chieftains and religious leaders aligning support for Malcolm.

The guard called from the entrance, Findlaech is here.

The Morays cheered the Mormaer, for Findlaech had great power, and more warriors at his command than anyone else in Scotland.

Now we shall see where our fortunes lie, Crinan said.

The Moray’s have too much strength, Donald said. With Findlaech behind them, they will put that worthless son o’ Kenneth on the seat.

Nae, I think not, Crinan said. ’Twould be a bad choice for Findlaech. Look… look at the faces o’ the Morays as he speaks. They begin to turn ashen… now red. Anger befits them.

But why?

Bodhe was reared in Northumbria where English tradition requires the son o’ a king to follow his father t’ the throne, Crinan said, but Findlaech will stay true t’ our custom, electing the one most suitable t’ be King. ’Twould seem he thinks Malcolm the best man. After all, Malcolm is not only the father o’ my wife, but the father o’ Findlaech’s wife as well, and she has borne him a son… one, I’ve just been told, is t’ be called Macbeth. Aye, I do believe Findlaech would seek high office one day for his newborn.

I canna’ see the reasoning, Donald said. Findlaech should keep the support o’ his clans. You are Mormaer o’ Athol. Won’t Findlaech’s action give power t’ the Athols and therefore, ye’r son Duncan?

’Twould be good fortune for Duncan, but for that damned Norseman, Sigurd, Crinan said. Malcolm’s third daughter is married t’ Sigurd, proven ally of Findlaech. Thus if Malcolm is chosen King, his position in the northern provinces is made more secure by the grace o’ Findlaech. Findlaech knows Malcolm will be a strong King, beholden to him for much o’ his power, so Macbeth will be under Malcolm’s protection. Macbeth’s future will be secure as long as Malcolm lives, and he could well become Malcolm’s tanist for the throne. Macbeth, as Malcolm’s grandson, may be as much Athol in Malcolm’s eyes as he is Moray. I foresee Macbeth t’ be a hindrance in Duncan’s path t’ the throne.

But he’s still a babe, Donald said. He may not grow t’ be fit.

Aye, ’tis true. Nonetheless, Macbeth will bear watching, for I perceive this t’ be the scheme o’ things.

As the Morays anger grew, curses resounded, and swords were drawn.

Treachery, Gillecomgain said. The King is murdered, and his chosen inheritor insulted, for his tanist was Bodhe, as it should be, and na’ Malcolm, who would deprive him o’ this legacy. The Mormaer o’ Moray would now choose an Athol t’ be King. Treachery I call it, and treachery it is.

We are na’ Englishmen here, Sigurd said, and the son will na’ follow his father t’ the throne. If the Mormaer says an Athol is more fit t’ be King, then by the Holy God, you will take heed, for I will run through anyone who challenges the good name o’ Findlaech macRuaridh

Gillecomgain reached for his sword, but thought better of it when he saw the speaker was Sigurd, Jarl of Orkney. The powerful Earl was as tall, but more muscular, and had many battles behind him. He would show no mercy, and Gillecomgain was not yet ready to give his life.

The clergy and Moray chieftains close to Findlaech stood with Malcolm as the debate continued into the night. When Malcolm finally mounted the sacred Stone of Destiny to be proclaimed King, he faced many a Moray whose ferocious anger was directed at Findlaech. But Findlaech was a powerful Mormaer in a land where battles to the death were commonplace, and he was more feared than fearful. He had provided many warriors for Malcolm’s battles, and as the years passed, this cooperative relationship was to serve young Macbeth well.

_____________________________

Must I go? Macbeth said.

’Tis time, Findlaech said. Ye’ve passed ye’r eighth year. We leave t’morrow for the Abbey at Beauly. Dinna’ fret, there are other lads who must learn, much the same as you.

Will I have my own sword? Will I hunt? Macbeth said.

Findlaech smiled. Ye’ll first study ye’r lessons wi’ diligence and purpose, then we shall see. ’Tis sure that any son o’ mine will have need o’ skills wi’ the sword, axe and spear.

The next day, Findlaech, with Macbeth and twelve trusted warriors, began the difficult trek to Beauly. Donada bade them a tearful farewell, and they rode through the craggy highlands of the Grampian mounth. By mid-afternoon they were well into the mountains, and ready to rest at a mountain pass. Macbeth wandered along the pass until he could view the valley. Far below, his eye caught a movement.

Father! Macbeth yelled, pointing down the mountain. Who are those people?

Findlaech ran up and peered at the small figures advancing along the valley floor. I canna’ see who they might be. ’Tis a large party, but the pennons are a wee small. We had best not come upon them ’til we can make them out.

Findlaech sent Gabhran to identify the small army. He soon returned and reported.

’Tis the pennon o’ Sigurd Hloddversson. Shall I make our presence known t’ him?

Aye. Be certain it is Sigurd, then return t’ us, Findlaech said. Our paths will cross in short order, so we’ll continue afoot.

Who is Sigurd? Macbeth said.

I fear we have not made ye’ aware o’ your derbfine, Findlaech said. That is a neglect I must correct. Sigurd is ye’r uncle, husband t’ ye’r mother’s sister.

Is’t good that he’s my uncle?

It can be, Findlaech said. Sigurd is a powerful Jarl from the Orkney coast. He’s now a friend who protects the coast from raiders, but there was a time when we battled mightily from opposing positions.

Macbeth looked at his father in wonder. He had heard tales of Findlaech in battle, and knew he was both feared and respected, but to now see him befriend a man who had been his enemy was beyond understanding.

If Sigurd is your friend, Macbeth said, why did you fight?

We must all fight to protect what’s ours, or to gain land on which t’ settle, Findlaech said. Sigurd came down from islands in the North. When he came too near the land o’ the Morays, we battled t’ protect it.

Did you win the battle?

I slew many o’ his men, but Sigurd took some land. Our differences have long been settled t’ our benefit.

Then I hope he will live a long life. Macbeth said.

’Tis a good thought, but if Sigurd lives long, we may well do battle again.

Findlaech turned to see Gabhran approaching.

What say you? Findlaech said. Is’t Sigurd who passes by the river?

Aye, Gabhran said. He’s seen us, and has stopped. Gabhran leaped from his horse to join Findlaech and Macbeth.

At the base of the mountain, Macbeth came face to face with the most rugged man he had ever seen, one whose bearded countenance hid the scars of his many battles. His shaggy black hair was plaited on the sides, but otherwise tumbled every which way from under a leather helmet on which the horns of a bull seemed to have grown to uncommon length.

Good it is t’ see ye’, my friend, Findlaech said, extending his arm in greeting.

’Tis well we should meet, for I have come by disturbing news, Sigurd said. Let’s encamp, and we’ll talk over ale and bread.

Macbeth, already exhausted from the first day’s journey, was more than willing to bed for the night. He lay near the open fire, and listened as Sigurd spoke to Findlaech.

Ye’ must take great care, Sigurd said, for as ye’ walk with Malcolm, ye’ tread upon the ambitions o’ your Moray nephews.

Ye’ speak o’ Gillecomgain and Malcolm macBrigte?

Aye, Sigurd said. I’ve received word they have murderous intent.

Upon me?

Aye, that is the word.

Macbeth, frightened by the exchange, feigned sleep but strained to grasp every muted word from the Jarl.

But that canna’ be, Findlaech said. Gillecomgain has long been a favorite. Sure and the word ye’ received must be tainted by hearsay, or the imagination o’ besotted Athols. My decision to see Malcolm on the throne wouldna’ justify such action.

’Tis not only the Kingship, Sigurd said. They still see ye’ as steward o’ the Morays. But after the crowning, ye’ gave Malcolm aid t’ do battle at Durham and Carnham. In spite of his losses, ye’ve continued to support him wi’ men and arms. The heads o’ many a Moray rest atop poles in Carnham, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the clans. Gillecomgain is capable o’ any treachery. Whether besotted or not, take my word at its worst. Be wary in ye’r unguarded moments.

From that moment, Gillecomgain became an evil demon in Macbeth’s mind.

Macbeth awoke the next morning to see Sigurd towering over him. He jumped to his feet.

He’s a fine looking lad, Sigurd said, tousling the blond hair of Macbeth. I too, have a son.

Will your son be at the abbey, sir? Macbeth said.

Sigurd laughed, and lifted Macbeth high off the ground. "Thorfinn is just a