Macbeth - History Not Story Trivia Quiz

Answer: 17 years

Macbeth reigned from 1040-1057. He succeeded Duncan I (1034-1040) and was succeeded in turn by Lularch (1057-1058).

The speed of events in Shakespeare's play suggest that his reign was short and not so sweet.

Answer: Gruoch

Princess (later Queen) Gruoch had been married before, to Gillacomgain, who was killed by King Malcolm II for his part in the Moray revolt of 1032. The Morays were in revolt because Malcolm had chosen Duncan (the saintly king in Shakespeare's play) to be his successor.

Gruoch was a granddaughter of King Kenneth III, and was a royal princess before she married Macbeth. His marriage to her strengthened Macbeth's claim to the throne after the death of Duncan.

There is little evidence that she was an evil manipulator of her husband, although it is probable that theirs was a typically political marriage between royals, promoted by the parties in opposition to Malcolm II and his ideas on his successor.

Answer: False

The reign of Duncan I lasted for six years. He was actually younger than Macbeth, and the 'Annals of Tigernach' state that he was killed by his subjects at 'an immature age'. Duncan had been King of Strathclyde (which extended into Cumbria) and was a grandson of Malcolm II. It was because he was related to Malcolm II through his mother, and not through a direct male line, that his succession was opposed by Macbeth.

In 'Macbeth' he is portrayed as an old and wise king much respected by his subjects.

Answer: He was slain in battle

Duncan was killed in battle near Elgin against rebel forces under the leadership of Macbeth. He had proved to be a weak and unwise king, who throughout his reign had struggled to suppress rival claims to his throne. He had angered many at court through his favouritism towards his wife's Danish relatives who he had introduced into his royal circle. His costliest mistake was a disastrous attempt to take the Northumbrian city of Durham in 1039, which decimated his army. This left him in a weakened military state to meet the northern revolt led by Macbeth a few months later.

Shakespeare famously depicts Macbeth as Duncan's murderer, stabbing him in his bed as he lay asleep.

Answer: He was a nephew of Malcolm II and his wife was a granddaughter of Kenneth III

Although Duncan had heirs to his throne, Malcolm and Donald (known as Donalbain in the play), they were only very young children, and in the contentious environment of the quest for succession they were not strong enough to compete. Macbeth, with his strong support from the Morays and the northern families, was able to seize the throne with little opposition. Duncan had built up much unpopularity within his court and, with the defeat of his army, there was little to stop Macbeth both politically and militarily.

His and his wife's royal blood gave them both a strong claim to rule.

Whilst Shakespeare referred to Duncan and Macbeth as 'kinsmen', he did not make it clear what Macbeth's rightful claim might have been, relying instead on the witches' prophecy to drive Macbeth in his quest for the throne.

Shakespeare portrays both Malcolm and his brother as young men when their father was murdered.

Answer: False

According to Berchan's 'Prophecy', Scotland prospered and was 'brimful' under his rule. The 'Chronicle of Melrose' states that his reign was 'fruitful', while commerce must have flourished because Macbeth acquired considerable wealth through taxes on trade.

A key factor in the growth of commerce and the burgeoning of the Scottish economy during Macbeth's reign was the suppression of Scandinavian piracy in the North Sea (due to the united thrones of England, Denmark and Norway under Canute).

Answer: Crinan of Atholl

Crinan of Atholl was the powerful lay abbot of Dunkeld and was related to Malcolm II by his marriage to Bethoc, Malcolm's daughter. As such he was the father of King Duncan I and obviously had a number of grievances against Macbeth, who he saw as a usurper of his son's throne. He led an uprising from Atholl but this was short-lived, ending with his death in battle in 1045.

Answer: Siward, Earl of Northumbria

Siward was a Danish noble who was the brother of Duncan's wife and, therefore, the uncle of Malcolm and Donald.

In 1040, at about the time Macbeth was securing the throne of Scotland, Siward defeated and slew Adulf of Northumbria. This was in revenge for Adulf's defeat of Duncan I at Durham the year before. Siward made himself earl of the Northumbrians.

In 1054, Siward invaded Scotland with a fleet and a land force to press the claim of Malcolm Canmore, his nephew, for the throne of Scotland. Although he defeated Macbeth, his victory was not absolute. He was able, however, to restore Malcolm to his father's old position as King of Cumbria (formerly Strathclyde).

Siward's son, Osbarn, was killed during this campaign. In Shakespeare's version, 'Young Siward' is killed by Macbeth just before the tyrant meets his own death at the hands of Macduff. Again, contrary to the play's version of events, 'Old Siward' died in 1055, two years before the end of Macbeth's reign.

Answer: He died of wounds

Macbeth was defeated and badly wounded at the Battle of Lumphanan in 1057. The victor was Malcolm Canmore, King of Cumbria and son of Duncan I. Malcolm had invaded Scotland to press his claim for the throne. Macbeth died of his wounds a few weeks later.

In the play, Macbeth is killed by Macduff at the battle's end, a battle which takes place at his fortress of Castle Dunsinane.

Answer: Lularch, son of Gillacomgain of Moray

Lularch was the son of Macbeth's wife from her first marriage and, as such, was proclaimed officially as Macbeth's successor. Although Malcolm Canmore was proclaimed king by his followers, the succession of Lularch had powerful support from within the court and the families in the north. Consequently, there were two rivals fighting over the throne, neither recognising the other's right to rule.

Lularch only ruled tenuously for a few months before being killed at Strathbogie. The 'Annals of Tigernach' claim that he was killed by treachery. After the death of Lularch, there was no one else to dispute Malcolm's claim and he became the sole King of Scotland as Malcolm III.

In Shakespeare's version of events, Malcolm became sole King of Scotland immediately after defeating Macbeth in battle.