Macbeth: High King of Scotland 1040-1057

by Peter Berresford Ellis

Variously portrayed as a psychopath and a treacherous usurper, Macbeth, the last truly Gaelic king of Scotland, has been misrepresented by historians from Boece and Holinshed onwards. Culturally as well as linguistically removed from the eleventh-century Scotland about which they wrote, their confused understanding of Celtic society laid the foundation for the legend of the evil, murderous, tyrannical Macbeth. In utilizing their work in the writing of Macbeth, Shakespeare produced what was effectively a piece of political propaganda for his Stewart patron, James I of England. -- Now, in this probing biography, Peter Berresford Ellis shows us that the real Macbeth was a courageous and liberal king who defended Scottish independence - far different from the figure of myth and legend. Relying on contemporary records including the Orkneyinga Saga and the Annals of Ulster, Ellis examines the bitter power struggles that led to Macbeth's downfall in 1057 and the eventual decline of Celtic Scotland, a true story that is as compelling and as tragic as Shakespeare's great drama.

Genres: History, Scotland, Nonfiction, Medieval, Biography Memoir

133 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

Peter Berresford Ellis is a historian, literary biographer, and novelist who has published over 90 books to date either under his own name or his pseudonyms Peter Tremayne and Peter MacAlan. He has also published 95 short stories. His non-fiction books, articles and academic papers have made him acknowledged as an authority on Celtic history and culture. Under Peter Tremayne, he is the author of the international bestselling Sister Fidelma mystery series. His work has appeared in 25 languages.

He began his career as a junior reporter on an English south coast weekly, becoming deputy editor of an Irish weekly newspaper and was then editor of a weekly trade journal in London. He first went as a feature writer to Northern Ireland in 1964 for a London daily newspaper which had a profound effect on him. His first book was published in 1968: Wales: a Nation Again, on the Welsh struggle for political independence, with a foreword by Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru's first Member of Parliament. In 1975 he became a full-time writer. He used his academic background to produce many popular titles in the field of Celtic Studies and he has written numerous academic articles and papers in the field for journals ranging from The Linguist (London) to The Irish Sword: Journal of the Irish Military History Society (UCD). He is highly regarded by academics in his own field and was described by The Times Higher Education Supplement, London, (June, 1999) as one of the leading authorities on the Celts then writing. He has been International Chairman of the Celtic League 1988–1990; chairman of Scrif-Celt (The Celtic Languages Book Fair in 1985 and in 1986); chairman and vice-president of the London Association for Celtic Education 1989–1995, and now is an Hon. Life Member); He was also chairman of his local ward Labour Party in London, England, and was editorial advisor on Labour and Ireland magazine in the early 1990s. He is a member of the Society of Authors.

Apart from his Celtic Studies interests, Ellis has always been fascinated by aspects of popular literature and has written full-length biographies on H. Rider Haggard, W. E. Johns, Talbot Mundy as well as critical essays on many more popular fiction authors. His own output in the fictional field, writing in the genre of horror fantasy and heroic fantasy, began in 1977 when the first "Peter Tremayne" book appeared. Between 1983 and 1993 he also wrote eight adventure thrillers under the name "Peter MacAlan". Ellis has published (as of January, 2009) a total of 91 books, 95 short stories, several pamphlets, and numerous academic papers and signed journalistic articles. Under his own name he wrote two long running columns: 'Anonn is Anall' (Here and There) from 1987–2008 for the Irish Democrat, and, "Anois agus Arís" (Now and Again) from 2000–2008 for The Irish Post. His books break down into 34 titles under his own name; 8 titles under the pseudonym of Peter MacAlan and 49 titles under his pseudonym of Peter Tremayne. He has lectured widely at universities in several countries, including the UK, Ireland, American, Canada, France and Italy. He has also broadcast on television and radio since 1968. With the great popularity of his 7th Century set Sister Fidelma Mysteries, in January, 2001, an International Sister Fidelma Society was formed in Charleston, South Carolina, with a website and producing a print magazine three times a year called The Brehon. In 2006 the Cashel Arts Fest established the first three-day international gathering of fans of the series which is now held bi-annually and receives the full support of the Society

Reviews

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for the real story of MacBeth, then you'll want to read this book. As an added bonus, Ellis gives a very nice history of Scotland itself, beginning with the Picts. I found the book very informative without getting too bogged down in tedious details.

(On a personal note, I'm pleased to say that I'm related to MacBeth. ;) )

[Andrew Dockrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical examination of the life of MacBeth and how it differed from Shakespeares account was rather dry but quite interesting. It does an excellent job re-evaluating the sources and does not place any blame on Shakespeare as the history of MacBeth was written by Anglicized Scots who did not understand the Gaelic language very well. Shakespeare meanwhile chose to write this history as it was a popular ballad that had been circulating in Elizabethan England for quite sometime and it seemed the appropriate time to write a play on it given that the Union of Crowns had just been celebrated. With a Scot in the person of James VI of Scotland on the English thrown, and a man very interested in his Scottish roots trying to connect them as far back into Scottish history as he could - it seemed to be perfect timing for Shakespeare. He largely wrote this play to seek the continued patronage of the king while also cashing in on the popularity and success the story was experiencing as a ballad.

However, Peter Ellis's argument was that MacBeth was not a cold blooded killer as he was portrayed by Shakespeare, but was simply trying to bring stability to the Scots after a terribly reign by the High King Duncan who was a terrible military leader and lead disasterous campaigns. With the assistance of Thorfinn a member of the Norse settlement inhabiting a region of Scotland to the East he was able to get rid of Duncan and place himself on the throne. Given the context of the way this was done it may be questioned as usurpation, and that is up to the reader to decide for themselves but given the context of the time and the role that the king was expected to fulfill it could be argued that he was not acting as a proper king.

MacBeth's reign largely brought years of prosperity to the kingdom for 17 years until he himself was dethroned and killed by the man who would take the throne and be called Malcolm II.

As a work of historical examination, this was rather dry but it was certainly enlightening and did the job it set out to do which was to educate the reader on a poorly understood man. I would recommend to the patient casual reader as it is not a difficult read but it if your not that interest in Scottish history, then you may find it a effort in futility.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellis describes Celtic culture and how the High Kings were chosen through tanistry, usually with the most able adult male nominated and elected as king. Abbots in the Celtic church married and had families, something that English historians couldn't accept so they just eliminated the title in their writings. Malcolm II "the Destroyer" strategically married three of his daughters to Crinan, Abbot of Dunkeld of the House of Atholl, Findlaech, Mormaer of Moray, and Sigurd Hlodversson, Jarl of the Orkneys, the three most powerful factions in Scotland. Gillecomgain and Malcolm, Findlaech's nephews killed him and became Mormaers of Moray in turn. Gillecomgain married Gruoch, the granddaughter of Kenneth III whom Malcolm II had killed. He organized the killing of Gillecomgain along with fifty of his warriors. Malcolm II had decided to make his grandson Duncan king and the only way to do that was to eliminate all other claimants. He missed Gruoch and her son by hair, he would later kill her father and brother in an ambush. Duncan proved to be an inept and incompetent king losing five major battles and getting a majority of his warrior class killed in the process. MacBeth, Thorfinn Sigurdsson, and the people of Scotland finally had enough. Duncan was killed in battle or died shortly thereafter. Macbeth would reign for seventeen years, on his crowning he would make Gruoch Queen Regnant, and make a pilgrimage to Rome.
James I & VI of Britian was got bored by plays easily, was fascinated by witches, didn't like strong women, and was a descendant of English backed Malcolm III and as English historians had started vilifying MacBeth hundreds of years before it was simple enough for Shakespeare to turn MacBeth and Gruoch into the ultimate villians based on the erroneous date supplied.
MacBeth and his stepson Lulach would both be buried on Iona where all their predecessors were buried. Malcolm III, Queen Margaret and his family would not. Malcolm was Norman raised and brought in Normans that gave land to for helping put him on the Scots throne.

[David Hockabout · Rating 5 out of 5]

'MacBeth', by Peter Berresford Ellis demonstrates that the MacBeth of the Scottish play has nothing to do with historical Mac Beth . In the well researched biography we learn that Mac Beth ruled for seventeen years during which Scotland had a peaceful and plentiful years. But, most importantly it is also the story of the slow genocide of a language and a culture. Not only of Scotland but on reflection the story of many cultures under the pressure of colonization. A must read for Celtic historians and and those working against actualization around the world.

[Rowena Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a fine take on MacBeth. Perhaps some historical fact could be questioned, but Shakespeare was far off. The facts that we know about him are:
He reigned for 17 years - a good long time for the 11th Century
He traveled to Rome and was blessed by the pope
He was buried on Iona, where high kings were buried.
Ellis uses quotes from the Orkneyinga Saga and The Annals of Ulster to press his opinion of the last truly Gaelic king of Scotland

[Duntay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think many people would mistake Shakespeare's play for a documentary. Ellis tries to tell the story of the last 'Celtic' king of Scotland, but sadly does not succeed. He uses very outdated secondary sources and goes on to a long digression about the demise of Gaelic. MacBeth ( as Ellis spells it) the man still remains elusive.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book some years ago and was very impressed by the author's research into the historical and political contexts of Macbeth's probable real story and its recasting by Holinshed and Shakespeare.

[William Shep · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a polemic against MacBeth's enemies, with some questionable 'facts' as well.