Biography

Macbeth, King of Scots, was a historical figure, who was born around 1005. While many of his life's early details are missing, Macbeth was the grandson of King Kenneth III and killed his cousin "Duncan I in battle near Elgin--not, as in Shakespeare, by murdering Duncan in his bed." The murder of Duncan I allowed Macbeth to ascend the throne until his death by Malcom. William Henry Seward mentions Macbeth while tracing the history of Kings and Queens of Scotland, suggesting that many family lines were as old as Macbeth (18590704WHS_FMS1)