[MR] MacBeth Anniversary

[Garth Groff]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots,

Today marks two anniversaries in Scottish history, oddly involving the 
same man. August 15 was the day in 1040 when MacBeth (Mac Bethad mac 
Mindlaich) slew his cousin Duncan in battle and became High King of Alba 
(or Scotland). August 15 1057 was the day MacBeth himself was slain (or 
wounded, to die a few days later) by the future king Malcolm III at the 
battle of Lumphanan.

There is little doubt MacBeth was a ruthless man. All the big players in 
Scottish history were pretty ruthless, or they wouldn't have lasted 
long. The Scots have often been described as "dagger happy", and they 
were. That MacBeth usurped the throne isn't in doubt either. However, 
later rulers (and Shakespeare) have unfairly cast him as a monster of 
some sort. MacBeth actually was a pretty good king, lasting 17 years and 
leading Scotland through a period of prosperity. He was noted for his 
generosity, and is known to have made a pilgrimage to Rome during his reign.

You can read more about MacBeth at: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth,_King_of_Scotland .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, The Crazy Scot