Excerpts
from Holinshed, Raphael. Holinshed's
Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 5.
London: J. Johnson, et al, 1808.
[Shakespeare's
primary source for Macbeth was Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles
of England, Scotland and Ireland, first published in 1577. The
outlines of Shakespeare's story are derived from Holinshed's account of Kings
Duncan and Macbeth. In addition, Shakespeare seems to have taken many
particulars from Holinshed's account of King Duffe, who died eighty years before
Macbeth did.]
King Duncan and King Macbeth:
- from page
264: Duncan's ascension to the throne of Scotland. | The kinship
between Duncan and Macbeth.
- page 265: The characters of Duncan and Macbeth
compared. | The defeat of Macdonwald by Banquo and Macbeth
- from page
266: Macbeth's cruelty to Macdonwald. | The arrival in Scotland of
Sweno.
- from page
267: Sweno defeated by Duncan's trick.
- from page
268: Macbeth and Banquo repel an invasion by King Canute of England,
who pays them "a great summe of gold" to be allowed to bury
his dead at "saint Colmes Inch." | Macbeth and Banquo
encounter "thrée women in strange and wild apparell."
- page 269: Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor |
Duncan proclaims Malcolm Prince of Cumberland | Macbeth and Banquo slay
King Duncan, and Macbeth ascends the throne. | Malcolm and Donalbain
flee. | Macbeth sets the kingdom to rights, punishing evildoers.
- from page
270: Macbeth's good deeds as king.
- from page
271: Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but Fleance escapes. | How
Fleance's descendants become Kings of Scotland.
- from page
273: After the killing of Banquo, nothing goes well for Macbeth.
Many are afraid of him, and he is afraid of many.
- page 274: Macbeth puts many nobles to death on
trumped-up charges and seizes their goods. | To increase his power,
Macbeth orders a great castle to be built on Dunsinane hill. | Macduff,
in fear of his life, sends workmen to the castle but does not go
himself. Macbeth takes offense at this, especially since "certeine
wizzards" had told him to take heed of Macduff. | Macbeth refrains
from killing Macduff only because "a certeine witch" told him
that he could not be slain by any man born of woman, nor be vanquished
until "the wood of Bernane came to the castell of Dunsinane."
| Macduff goes to England to persuade Malcolm to claim the throne of
Scotland. Macbeth, through his spies, hears of Macduff's plan and goes
to Macduff's dwelling, expecting to find him there. Macduff's people
open the gate to Macbeth, but he nevertheless kills everyone inside.
- page 275: Macduff pleads with Malcolm to come to
Scotland, take the throne, and rescue the country from Macbeth. |
Malcolm tests Macduff by telling him that he (Malcolm) is lustful and
greedy, and would be a worse king than Macbeth.
- page 276: Malcolm, continuing to test Macduff,
says he is a liar. At this, Macduff is disgusted and weeps for Scotland.
| Malcolm tells Macduff he was only testing him, to see if he might be
an agent of Macbeth. | Malcolm and Macduff plan the invasion of Scotland
and receive the aid of old Siward and an army of ten thousand. | Macbeth
decides to defend himself at Dunsinane, despite advice to the contrary,
because he trusts in the prophecies. | In Birnam wood, Malcolm orders
his men to cut boughs to disguise themselves as they approach Dunsinane.
- from page
277: Macbeth sees Birnam wood move, but urges his men to stand and
fight. However, when Macbeth sees the size of the opposing army he tries
to run away. | Macduff pursues Macbeth, and Macbeth tells him that he
cannot be killed of woman born. Macduff reveals that he was "neuer
borne of my mother, but ripped out of her wombe" and kills Macbeth,
then cuts off his head, puts it on a pole, and takes it to Malcolm. |
Malcolm is crowned king and rewards his followers by creating them the
first earls of Scotland. The new earls are "Fife, Menteth, Atholl,
Leuenox, Murrey, Cathnes, Rosse, and Angus."
from Holinshed's Chronicles,
Volume V: Scotland, page 264-277
After Malcolme succéeded his nephue Duncane*
the sonnne of his daughter Beatrice: for Malcolme had two daughters, the one
which was this Beatrice, being giuen in marriage vnto one Abbanath Crinen, a
man of great nobilitie, and thane of the Iles and west parts of Scotland,
bare of that mariage the foresaid Duncane; the other called Doada, was maried
vnto Sincell the thane of Glammis, by whom she had issue one Makbeth a
valiant gentleman, and one that if he had not béen somewhat cruel of nature,
might haue been thought most worthie the gouernment of the realme. On the
other part, Duncane was so soft and gentle of nature, that the people wished
the inclinations and maners of these two cousins to haue been so tempered and
interchangeablie bestowed betwixt them, that where the one had too much of
clemencie, and the other of crueltie, the meane vertue betwixt these two
extremities might haue reigned by indifferent partition in them both, so
should Duncane haue proued a worthy king, and Makbeth an excellent capteine.
The beginning of Duncans reigne was verie quiet and peaceable, without anie
notable trouble; but after it was perceiued how negligent he was in punishing
offendors, manie misruled person tooke occasion thereof to trouble the peace
and quiet state of the common-wealth, by seditious commotions which first had
their beginnings in this wise.
Banquho the thane of Lochquhaber, of whom
the house of the Stewards is descended, the which by order of linage hath now
for a long time inioied*
the crowne of Scotland, euen till these our daies, as he gathered the
finances due to the king, and further punished somewhat sharplie such as were
notorious offendors, being assailed by a number of rebels inhabiting that
countrie, and spoiled of the monie and all other things, had much a doo to
get awaie with life, after he had receiued sundrie grieuous wounds amongst
them. Yet escaping their hands, after hée was somewhat recouered of his
hurts, and was able to ride, he repaired to the court, where making his
complaint to the king in most earnest wise, he purchased at length*
that the offendors were sent for by a sergeant at armes, to appeare to make answer
vnto such matters as should be laid to their charge: but they augmenting
their mischiefous act with a more wicked déed, after they had misused the
messenger with sundrie kinds of reproches, they finallie slue him also.
Then doubting not but for such contemptuous
demeanor against the kings regall authoritie, they should be inuaded with all
the power the king could make, Makdowald one of great estimation among
them, making first a confederacie with his nearest friends and kinsmen, took
vpon him to be chief capteine of all such rebels as would stand against the
king, in maintenance of their grieuous offenses latelie committed against
him. Manie slanderous words also, and railing tants this Makdowald vttered
against his prince, calling him a faint-hearted milkesop, more meet to
gouerne a sort of idle moonks in some cloister, than to haue the rule of such
valiant and hardie men of warre as the Scots were. He vsed also such subtill
persuasions and forged allurements, that in a small time he had gotten together
a mightie power of men: for out of the westerne Iles there came vnto him a
great multitude of people, offering themselues to assist him in that
rebellious quarell, and out of Ireland in hope of the spoile came no small
number of Kernes and Galloglasses, offering gladlie to serve vnder him,
whither it should please him to lead them.
Makdowald thus hauing a mightie puissance about
him, incountered with such of the kings people as
were sent against him into Lochquhaber, and discomfiting them, by mere force
tooke their capteine Malcolme, and
after the end of the battell smote off his head. This ouerthrow
being notified to the king, did put him in
woonderfull fear, by reason of his small skill in warlike affaires. Calling
therefore his nobles to a councell, he asked of them their best aduice for
the subduing of Makdowald & other the rebels. Here, in sundrie heads (as
euer it happeneth) were sundrie opinions, which they vttered according to
euerie man his skill. At length Makbeth speaking much against the kings
softnes, and ouermuch slackness in punishing offendors, whereby they had such
time to assemble togither, he promised notwithstanding, if the charge were
committed vnto him and vnto Banquho, so to order the matter, that the rebels
should be shortly vanquished & quite put downe, and that not so much as
one of them should be found to make resistance within the countrie.
And euen so it came to passe: for being sent
foorth with a new power, at his entring into Lochquhaber, the fame of his
comming put the enimies in such feare, that a great number of them stale
secretlie awaie from their capteine Makdowald, who neuertheless inforced
thereto, gaue battell vnto Makbeth, with the residue which remained with him:
but being ouercome, and fléeing for refuge into a castel (within the which
his wife & children were inclosed) at length when he saw
how he could neither defend the hold anie longer against his enimies, nor yet
vpon surrender be suffered to depart with life saued, hée first slue his wife
and children, and lastlie himself, least if he had yeelded simplie, he
should haue béene executed in most cruell wise for an example to others. Makbeth
entring into the castell by the gates, as then set open, found the carcasse
of Makdowald lieng dead there amongst the residue of the slaine bodies,* which when he beheld, remitting no peece of
his cruel nature with that pitifull sight,* he caused the head to be cut off, and set
vpon a poles end, and so sent as a present to the king, who as then laie
at Bertha. The headlesse trunk he commanded to bée hoong vp upon an high paire of gallowes.
Them of the
westerne Iles suing for pardon, in that they had aided Makdowald in his
tratorous enterprise, he fined at great sums of monie: and those whome he
took in Lochquhaber, being come thither to bear armor against the king, he
put to execution. Hereupon the Ilandmen conceiued a deadlie grudge towards
him, calling him a couenant-breaker, a bloodie tyrant, & a cruell
murtherer of them whome the kings mercie had pardoned. With which reprochfull
words Makbeth being kindled in wrathfull ire against them, had passed ouer
with an armie into the Iles, to haue taken reuenge vpon them for their liberall
talke, had he not béene otherwise persuaded by some of his friends, and
partlie pacified by gifts presented vnto him on the behalfe of the Ilandmen,
séeking to auoid his displeasure. Thus was iustice and law restored againe to
the old accustomed course, by the diligent means of Makbeth. Immediatlie
wherevpon word came that Sueno king of Norway was arrived in Fife with
a puissant armie, to subdue the whole realme of Scotland.
But now touching the arriuall of Sueno the Norwegian king
in Fife (as before is expressed) ye shall vnderstand, that the pretense of
his comming was to reuenge the slaughter of his vncle Camus, and other of the
Danish nation slaine at Barre, Crowdane, and Gemmer. The crueltie of this
Sueno was such, that he neither spared man, woman, nor child, of what age,
condition or degrée soeuer they were. Whereof when K. Duncane was certified,
he set all slouthfull and lingering delaies apart, and began to assemble an
armie in most spéedie wise, like a verie valiant capteine: for oftentimes it
happenth, that a dull coward and slouthfull person, constreined by
necessitie, becommeth verie hardie and actiue. Therefore when his whole power
was come togither, he diuided the same into thrée battels. The first was led
by Makbeth, the second by Banquho, & the king himselfe gouerned in the
maine battell or middle ward, wherein were appointed to attend and wait vpon
his person the most part of all the residue of the Scotish nobilitie.
The armie of
Scotishmen being thus ordered, came vnto Culros,
where incountering with the enimies, after a sore and cruell foughten
battell, Sueno remained victorious, and Malcolme with his Scots discomited.
Howbeit the Danes were so broken by this battell, that they were not able to
make long chase on their enimies, but kept themselues all night in order of
battell, for doubt least the Scots assembling togither againe, might haue set
vupon them at some aduantage. On the morrow, when the fields were discouered,
and that it was perceiued how no enimies were to be found abrode, they
gathered the spoile, which they diuided amongst them, according to the law of
armes. Then was it ordeined by commandement of Sueno, that no souldier should
hurt either man, woman or child, except such as were found with weapon in
hand readie to make resistance, for he hoped now to conquer the realme
without further bloudshed.
But when
knowledge was giuen how Duncane was fled to the castell of Bertha, and that
Makbeth was gathering a new power to withstand the incursions of the Danes,
Sueno raised his tents, & comming to the said castell, laid a strong
siege round about it. Duncane séeing himselfe thus enuironed by his enimies,
sent a secret message by counsell of Banquho to Makbeth, commanding him to
abide at Inchcuthill, till he heard from him some other newes. In the meane time Duncane fell in fained
communication with Sueno, as though he would haue yéelded vp the castell
into his hands, vnder certeine conditions, and this did he to driue time, and
to put his enimies out of all suspicion of anie enterprise ment against them,
till all things were brought to passe that might serue for the purpose. At
length, when they were fallen at a point for rendring vp the hold, Duncane
offered to send foorth of the castell into the campe great prouision of vittels
to refreshe the armie, which offer was gladlie accepted of the Danes, for
that they had béen in great penurie of sustenance manie daies before.
The Scots
héerevpon tooke the iuice of mekilwoort berries, and mixed the same in
their ale and bread, sending it thus spiced & confectioned, in great
abundance vnto their enimies. They reioising that they had got meate and
drinke sufficient to satisfie their bellies, fell to eating and drinking
after such greedie wise, that it séemed they stroue who might deuoure and
swallow vp most, till the operation of the berries spread in such sort
through all the parts of their bodies, that they were in the end brought into
a fast dead sleepe, that in manner it was vnpossible to awake them. Then
foorthwith Duncane sent vnto Makbeth, commanding him with all diligence to
come and set vpon the enimies, being in easie point to be ouercome. Makbeth
making no delaie, came with his people to the place, where his enimies were
lodged, and first killing the watch, afterwards entered the campe, and made
such slaughter on all sides without anie resistance, that it was a
woonderfull matter to behold, for the Danes were so heauie of sléepe, that
the most part of them were slaine and neuer stirred: other that were
awakened either by the noise or other waies foorth, were so amazed and dizzie
headed vpon their wakening, that they were not able to make anie defense: so
that of the whole number there escaped no more but onelie Sueno himselfe and
ten other persons, by whose helpe he got to his ships lieng at rode in the
mouth of Taie.
The place where the Danish vessels were
thus lost, is yet called Drownelow sands. This
ouerthrow receiued in manner afore said by Sueno, was verie displeasant to
him and his people, as should appéere, in that it was a custome manie yeees
after, that no knight were made in Norwaie, except they were first sworne to
reuenge the slaughter of their countriemen and friends thus slaine in
Scotland. The Scots hauing woone so notable a victorie, after they had
gathered & diuided the spoile of the field, caused solemne processions to
be made in all places of the realme, and thanks to be giuen to almightie God,
that had sent them so faire a day ouer their enimies. But whilest the people
were thus at the processions, woord was brought that a new fléet of Danes was
arriued at Kingcorne, sent thither by Canute king of England, in reuenge of
his brother Suenos ouerthrow. To resist these enimies, which were alreadie
landed, and busie in spoiling the countrie; Macbeth and Banquho were sent
with the kings authoritie, who hauing with them a conuenient power,
incountred the enimies, slue part of them, and chased the other to their
ships. They that escaped and got once to their ships, obteined of Makbeth for
a great summe of gold, that such of their friends as were slaine at this last
bickering, might be buried in saint Colmes Inch. In memorie whereof, manie
old sepultures are yet in the said Inch, there to be seene grauen with the
armes of the Danes, as the maner of burieng noble men still is, and
héeretofore hath béene vsed.
A peace was also
concluded at the same time betwixt the Danes and Scotishmen, ratified (as
some haue written) in this wise: That from thencefoorth the Danes should
neuer come into Scotland to make anie warres against the Scots by anie maner
of meanes. And these were the warres that Duncane had with forren enimies,
in the seuenth yéere of his reigne. Shortlie after happened a strange and
vncouth woonder, which afterward was the cause of much trouble in the
realme of Scotland, as ye shall after heare. It fortuned as Makbeth and
Banquho iournied towards Fores, where the king then laie, they went sporting
by the waie togither without other companie, saue onelie themselues, passing
thorough the woods and fields, when suddenlie in the middest of a laund,* there met them thrée women in strange and
wild apparell, resembling creatures of elder world, whome when they
attentiuelie beheld, woondering much at the sight, the first of them spake
and said; "All haile Makbeth, thane of Glammis" (for he had latelie
entered into that dignitie and office by the death of his father Sinell.) The
second of them said; "Haile Makbeth thane of Cawder." But the third
said; "All haile Makbeth that héerafter shalt be king of Scotland."
Then Banquho;
"What manner of women (saith he) are you, that séeme so little
fauourable vnto me, whereas to my fellow heere, besides high offices, ye
assigne also the kingdome, appointing foorth nothing for me at all?"
"Yes (saith the first of them) we promise greater benefits vnto thée,
than vnto him, for he shall reigne in déed, but with an vnluckie end: neither
shall he leaue anie issue behind him to succéed in his place, where
contrarilie thou in déed shalt not reigne at all, but of thée those shall be
borne which shall gouerne the Scotish kingdome by long order of continuall
descent." Herewith the foresaid women vanished
immediatlie out of their sight. This was reputed at the first but some
vaine fantasticall illusion by Mackbeth* and Banquho, insomuch that Banquho would call
Mackbeth in iest, king of Scotland; and Mackbeth againe would call him in
sport likewise, the father of manie kings. But afterwards the common opinion
was, that these women were either the weird sisters, that is (as ye
would say) the goddesses of destinie, or else some nymphs or feiries, indued
with knowledge of prophesie by their necromanticall science, bicause euerie
thing came to passe as they had spoken. For shortlie after, the thane of
Cawder being condemned at Fores of treason against the king committed; his
lands, liuings, and offices were giuen of the kings
liberalitie to Mackbeth.
The same night
after, at supper, Banquho iested with him and said; "Now Mackbeth thou
hast obteined those things which the two former sisters prophesied, there
remaineth onelie for thée to purchase that which the third said should come
to passe. Wherevpon Mackbeth reuoluing the thing in his mind,
began euen then to deuise how he might atteine to the kingdome: but yet he
thought with himselfe that he must tarie a time, which should aduance him
thereto (by the diuine prouidence) as it had come to passe in his former
preferment. But shortlie after it chanced that king Duncane, hauing two
sonnes by his wife which was the daughter of Siward earle of Northumberland,
he made the elder of them called Malcolme prince of Cumberland, as it were
thereby to appoint him his successor in the kingdome, immediatlie after his
deceasse. Mackbeth sore troubled herewith, for that he saw by this means
his hope sore hindered (where, by the old lawes of the realme, the ordinance
was, that if he that should succéed were not of able age to take the charge
vpon himselfe, he that was next of bloud vunto him should be admitted) he
began to take counsell how he might vsurpe the kingdome by force, hauing a
iust quarell so to doo (as he tooke the matter) for that Duncane did what in
him lay to defraud him of all maner of title and claime, which he might in
time to come, pretend vnto the crowne.
The woords of
the thrée weird sisters also (of whome before ye haue heard) greatlie
incouraged him herevunto, but speciallie his wife lay sore vpon him to
attempt the thing, as she that was verie ambitious, burning in vnquenchable
desire to beare the name of a quéene. At length therefore, communicating
his purposed intent with his trustie friends, amongst whome Banquho was the
chiefest, vpon confidence of their promised aid, he slue the king at
Enuerns, or (as some say) at Botgosuane, in the sixt yeare of his reigne.
Then hauing a companie about him of such as he had made priuie to his
enterprise, he caused himselfe to be proclamed king, and foorthwith went vnto
Scone, where (by common consent) he receiued the inuesture of the kingdome
according to the accustomed maner. The bodie of Duncane was first conueied
vnto Elgine, & there buried in kinglie wise; but afterwards it was
remoued and conueied vnto Colmekill, and there laid in a sepulture amongst
his predecessors, in the yeare after the birth of our Sauiour, 1046.
Malcolme
Cammore and Donald Bane the sons of king Duncane, for feare of their
liues (which they might well know that Mackbeth would séeke to bring to end
for his more sure confirmation in the estate) fled into Cumberland, where
Malcolme remained, till time that saint Edward the sonne of Ethelred
recouered the dominion of England from the Danish power, the which Edward
receiued Malcolme by way of most friendlie enterteinment: but Donald passed
ouer into Ireland, where he was tenderlie cherished by the king of that land.
Mackbeth, after the departure thus of Duncanes sonnes, vsed great
liberalitie towards the nobles of the realme, thereby to win their fauour,
and when he saw that no man went about to trouble him, he set his whole
intention to mainteine iustice, and to punish all enormities and abuses,
which had chanced through the féeble and slouthfull administration of Duncane.
And to bring his purpose the better to passe without anie trouble or great
businesse, he deuised a subtill wile to bring all offendors and misdooers
vnto iustice, soliciting sundrie of his liege people with high rewards, to
challenge and appeale such as most oppressed the commons, to come at a day
and place appointed, to fight singular combats within barriers, in triall of
their accusations. When these théeues, barrettors,* and other oppressors of the innocent people were
come to darren battell in this wise (as is said) they were streight waies
apprehended by armed men, and trussed vp in halters on gibbets, according as
they had iustlie deserued. The residue of misdooers that were left,
were punished and tamed in such sort, that manie years after all theft
and reiffings* were little heard of, the people inioieng the
blissefull benefit of good peace and tranquillitie. Mackbeth shewing himselfe
thus a most diligent punisher of all iniuries and wrongs attempted by anie
disordered persons within his realme, was accounted the sure defense and
buckler* of innocent people; and hereto he also applied
his whole indeuor, to cause yoong men to exercise themselues in vertuous
maners, and men of the church to attend their diuine seruice according to
their vocations
He caused to be slaine sundrie thanes,
as of Cathnes, Sutherland, Stranauerne, and Ros, because through them and
their seditious attempts, much trouble dailie rose in the realme. He appeased
the troublesome state of Galloway, and slue one Makgill a tyrant, who had
manie yeares before passed nothing of* the regall authoritie or power. To be briefe,
such were the woorthie dooings and princelie acts of this Mackbeth in the
administration of the realme, that if he had atteined therevnto by rightfull
means, and continued in vprightnesse of iustice as he began, till the end of
his reigne, he might well haue béene numbred amongest the most noble princes
that anie where had reigned. He made manie holesome laws and statutes for the
publike weale of his subiects.
These and the like commendable lawes Makbeth caused to be
put as then in vse, gouerning the realme for the space of ten yeares in
equall iustice. But this was but a counterfet zeale of equitie shewed by him,
partlie against his naturall inclination to purchase therby the fauour of the
people. Shortlie after, he began to shew what he was, in stead of equitie
practising crueltie. For the pricke of conscience (as it chanceth euer in
tyrants, and such as atteine to anie estate by vnrighteous means) caused him
euer to feare, least he should be serued of the same cup, as he had ministred
to his predecessor. The woords also of the three weird sisters, would not
out of his mind, which as they promised him the kingdome, so likewise did they promise it at the same time vnto the posteritie of
Banquho. He willed therefore the same Banquho with his sonne named Fleance,
to come to a supper that he had prepared for them which was in déed, as he
had deuised, present death at the hands of certeine murderers, whom he hired
to execute that déed, appointing them to meete with the same Banquho and his
sonne without the palace, as they returned to their lodgings, and there to
slea them, so that he would not haue his house slandered, but that in time to
come he might cleare himselfe, if anie thing were laid to his charge vpon
anie suspicion that might arise.
It chanced yet
by the benefit of the darke night, that though the father were slaine, the
sonne yet by the helpe of almightie God reseruing him to better fortune,
escaped that danger: and afterwards hauing some inkeling (by the
admonition of some friends which he had in the court) how his life was sought
no lesse than his fathers, who was slaine not by chance medlie (as by the
handling of the matter Makbeth would haue had it to appeare) but euen upon a
prepensed deuise:* wherevpon to auoid further perill he fled into
Wales.
.....................................................................................................................................................
But to returne vnto Makbeth, in
continuing the historie, and to begin where I left, ye shall vnderstand that
after the contriued slaughter of Banquho, nothing prospered with the foresaid
Makbeth: for in maner euerie man began to doubt his owne life, and durst
vnneth* appeare in the kings presence; and euen as there
were manie that stood in feare of him, so likewise stood he in feare of
manie, in such sort that he began to make those awaie by one surmized
cauillation* or other, whome he thought most able to worke
him anie displeasure.
At length he found
such swéetnesse by putting his nobles thus to death, that his earnest thirst
after bloud in this behalfe might in no wise be satisfied: for ye must
consider he wan double profit (as hée thought) hereby: for first they were
rid out of the way whome he feared, and then againe his coffers were inriched
by their goods which were forfeited to his vse, whereby he might better
mainteine a gard of armed men about him to defend his person from iniurie of
them whom he had in anie suspicion. Further, to the end he might the more
cruellie oppresse his subiects with all tyrantlike wrongs, he builded a
strong castell on the top of an hie hill called Dunsinane, situate in
Gowrie, ten miles from Perth, on such a proud height, that standing there
aloft, a man might behold well neere all the countries of Angus, Fife,
Stermond, and Ernedale, as it were lieng vnderneath him. This castell then
being founded on the top of that high hill, put the
realme to great charges before it was finished, for all the stuffe necessarie
to the building, could not be brought vp without much toile and businesse.
But Makbeth being once determined to haue the worke go forward, caused the
thanes of each shire within the realme, to come and helpe towards the
building, each man his course about.*
At the last, when the
turne fell vnto Makduffe thane of Fife to build his part, he sent
workemen with all néedfull prouision, and commanded them to shew such
diligence in euerie beahalfe, that no occasion might bée giuen for the king
to find fault with him, in that he came not himselfe as other had doone,
which he refused to doo, for doubt least the king bearing him (as he partlie
vnderstood) no great good will, would laie violent hands vpon him, as he had
doone vpon diuerse other. Shortlie after, Makbeth comming to behold how
the worke went forward, and bicause he found not Makduffe there, he was sore
offended, and said; I perceiue this man will neuer obeie my commandements,
till he be ridden with a snaffle: but I shall prouide well inough for him. Neither
could he afterwards abide to looke vpon the said Makduffe, either for that he
thought his puissance ouer great; either else for that he had learned of
certeine wizzards, in whose words he put great confidence (for that the
prophesie had happened so right, which the thrée faries or weird sisters
had declared vnto him) how that he ought to take héed of Makduffe, who in
time to come should seeke to destroie him.
And suerlie herevpon
had he put Makduffe to death, but that a certeine witch, whome hee had in
great trust, had told that he should neuer be slaine with man borne of anie
woman, nor vanquished till the wood of Bernane came to the castell of
Dunsinane. By this prophesie Makbeth put all feare out of his heart,
supposing he might doo what he would, without anie feare to be punished for
the same, for by the one prophesie he beléeued it was vnpossible for anie man
to vanquish him, and by the other vnpossible to slea him. This vaine hope
caused him to doo manie outragious things, to the gréeuous oppression of his
subiects. At length Makduffe, to auoid perill of life, purposed with
himselfe to passe into England, to procure Malcolme Cammore to claime the
crowne of Scotland. But this was not so secretlie deuised by Makduffe, but
that Makbeth had knowledge giuen him thereof: for kings (as is said) haue
sharpe sight like vnto Lynx, and long ears like vnto Midas. For Makbeth
had in euerie noble mans house, one slie fellow or other in fée with him, to
reueale all that was said or doone within the same, by which slight he
oppressed the most part of the nobles of his realme.
Immediatlie then,
being aduertised whereabout Makduffe went, he came hastily with a great power
into Fife, and foorthwith besieged the castell where Makduffe dwelled,
trusting to haue found him therein. They that kept the house, without anie
resistance opened the gates, and suffered him to enter, mistrusting none
euill. But neuerthelesse Makbeth most cruellie caused the wife and
children of Makduffe, with all other whom he found in that castell, to be
slaine. Also he confiscated the goods of Makduffe, proclamed him traitor,
and confined him out of all parts of his realme; but Makduffe was alreadie
escaped out of danger, and gotten into England vnto Malcolme Cammore, to trie
what purchase hée might make by means of his support, to reuenge the
slaughter so cruellie executed on his wife, his children, and other friends. At
his comming vnto Malcolme, he declared into what great miserie the estate of
Scotland was brought, by the detestable cruelties exercised by the tyrant Makbeth,
hauing committed manie horrible slaughters and murders, both as well of the
nobles as commons, for the which he was hated right mortallie of all his
liege people, desiring nothing more than to be deliuered of that intollerable
and most heauie yoke of thraldome, which they susteined at such a caitifes
hands.
Malcolme hearing
Makduffes woords, which he vuttered in verie lamentable sort, for méere
compassion and verie ruth that pearsed his sorowfull hart, bewailing the
miserable state of his countrie, he fetched a deepe sigh; which Makduffe
perceiuing, began to fall most earnestlie in hand with him, to enterprise the
deliuering of the Scotish people out of the hands of so cruell and bloudie a
tyrant, as Makbeth by too manie plaine experiments did shew himselfe to be:
which was an easie matter for him to bring to passe, considering not onelie
the good title he had,* but also the earnest desire of the people to
haue some occasion ministred, whereby they might be reuenged of those notable
iniuries, which they dailie susteined by the outragious crueltie of Macbeths
misgouernance. Though Malcolme was verie sorowfull for the oppression of his
countriemen the Scots, in maner as Makduffe had declared; yet doubting
whether he were come as one that ment vnfeinedlie* as he spake, or else as sent from Makbeth to
betraie him, he thought to haue some further triall, and therevpon
dissembling his mind at the first, he answered as followeth.
"I am trulie
verie sorie for the miserie chanced to my countrie of Scotland, but though I
haue neuer so great affection to reliue the same, yet by reason of
certeine incurable vices, which reigne in me, I am nothing méet thereto.
First, such immoderate lust and voluptuous sensualitie (the abhominable
founteine of all vices) followeth me, that if I were made king of Scots, I
should séeke to defloure maids and matrones, in such wise that mine
intemperancie should be more importable* vnto you, than the bloudie tyrannie of
Makbeth now is." Héerevnto Makduffe answered: "This suerlie is
a verie euill fault, for manie noble princes and kings haue lost both liues
and kingdomes for the same; neuerthelesse there are women enow in Scotland,
and therefore follow my counsell. Make thy selfe king, and I shall conueie
the matter so wiselie, that thou shalt be so satisfied at thy pleasure in
such secret wise, that no man shall be aware thereof."
Then said Malcolme,
"I am also the most auaritious creature on the earth, so that if
I were king, I should séeke so manie waies to get lands and goods, that I
would slea the most part of all the nobles of Scotland by surmized
accusations, to the end I might inioy their lands, goods, and possessions;
and therefore to shew you what mischiefe may insue on you through mine
vnsatiable couetousnes, I will rehearse vnto you a fable. There was a fox
hauing a sore place on him ouerset with a swarme of flies, that continuallie
sucked out hir bloud: and when one that came by and saw this manner, demanded
whether she would haue the flies driuen beside hir, she answered no: for if
these flies that are alreadie full, and by reason thereof sucke not verie
egerlie, should be chased awaie, other that are emptie and fellie an hungred,* should light in their places, and sucke out the
residue of my bloud farre more to my greeuance than these, which now being
satisfied doo not much annoie me. Therefore saith Malcolme, suffer me to
remaine where I am, least if I atteine to the regiment of your realme, mine
vnquenchable auarice may prooue such; that ye would thinke the displeasures
which now grieue you, should séeme easie in respect of the vnmeasurable
outrage, which might insue through my comming amongst you."
Makduffe to this made
answer, "how it was a far woorse fault than the other: for auarice is
the root of all mischiefe, and for that crime the most part of our kings haue béene slaine and brought to their finall end.
Yet notwithstanding follow my counsell, and take
vpon thée the crowne. There is gold and riches inough in Scotland to satisfie
they gréedie desire." Then Malcolme againe, "I am furthermore
inclined to dissimulation, telling of leasings,* and all other kinds of deceit, so that I
naturallie reioise in nothing so much, as to betraie & deceiue such as
put anie trust or confidence in my woords. Then sith there is nothing that
more becommeth a prince than constancie, veritie, truth, and iustice, with
the other laudable fellowship of those faire and noble vertues which are
comprehended onelie in soothfastnesse, and that lieng vtterlie ouerthroweth
the same; you sée how vnable I am to gouerne anie prouince or region: and
therefore sith you haue remedies to cloke and hide all the rest of my other
vices, I praie you find shift to cloke this vice amongst the residue."
Then said Makduffe:
"This yet is the woorst of all, and there I leaue thee, and therefore
saie; Oh ye vnhappie and miserable Scotishmen, which are thus scourged with so manie and sundrie calamities, ech
one aboue other! Ye haue one curssed and wicked tyrant that now reigneth
ouer you, without anie right or title, oppressing you with his most bloudie
crueltie. This other that hath the right to the crowne, is so replet with the
inconstant behauiour and manifest vices of Englishmen, that he is nothing
woorthie to inioy it: for by his owne confession he is not onelie auaritious,
and giuen to vnsatiable lust, but so false a traitor withall, that no trust
is to be had vnto anie woord he speaketh. Adieu Scotland, for now I account
my selfe a banished man for euer, without comfort or consolation:" and
with those woords the brackish teares trickled downe his chéekes verie
abundantlie.
At the last, when he
was readie to depart, Malcolme tooke him by the sléeue, and said: "Be of
good comfort Makduffe, for I haue none of these vices before remembred, but
haue iested with thée in this manner, onelie to prooue* thy mind: for diuerse times héeretofore hath
Makbeth sought by this manner of meanes to bring me into his hands, but the
more slow I haue shewed my selfe to condescend* to thy motion and request, the more diligence
shall I vse in accomplishing the same." Incontinentlie* héervpon they imbraced each other, and
promising to be faithfull the one to the other, they fell in consultation how
they might best prouide for all their businesse, to bring the same to good
effect. Soone after, Makduffe repairing to the borders of Scotland,
addressed his letters with secret dispatch vnto the nobles of the realme,
declaring how Malcolme was confederat with him, to come hastilie into
Scotland to claime the crowne, and therefore he required them, sith he was
right inheritor thereto, to assist him with their powers to recouer the same
out of the hands of the wrongfull vsurper.
In the meane time,
Malcolme purchased such fauor at king Edwards hands, that old Siward earle
of Northumberland was appointed with ten thousand men to go with
him into Scotland, to support him in this enterprise, for recouerie of his
right. After these newes were spread abroad in Scotland, the nobles drew into
two seuerall factions, the one taking part with Makbeth, and the other with
Malcolme. Héerevpon insued oftentimes sundrie bickerings, & diuerse light
skirmishes: for those that were of Malcolmes side, would not ieopard to ioine
with their enimies in a pight field,* till his comming out of England to their
support. But after that Makbeth perceiued his enimies power to increase, by
such aid as came to them foorth of England with his aduersarie Malcolme, he
recoiled backe into Fife, there purposing to abide in campe fortified, at the
Castell of Dunsinane, and to fight with his enimies, if they ment to pursue
him; howbeit some of his friends aduised him, that it should be best for him,
either to make some agréement with Malcolme, or else to flée with all spéed
into the Iles, and to take his treasure with him, to the end he might wage* sundrie great princes of the realme to take his
part, & reteine strangers, in whome he might better trust than in his
owne subiects, which stale* dailie from him: but he had such confidence in
his prophesies, that he beléeued he should neuer be vanquished, till Birnane
wood were brought to Dunsinane; nor yet to be slaine with anie man, that
should be or was borne of anie woman.
Malcolme following
hastilie after Makbeth, came the night before the battell vnto Birnane wood,
and when his armie had rested a while there to refresh them, he commanded
euerie man to get a bough of some trée or other of that wood in his hand, as
big as he might beare, and to march foorth therewith in such wise, that
on the next morrow they might come closelie and without sight in this manner
within view of his enimies. On the morow when Makbeth beheld them comming in
this sort, he first maruelled what the matter ment, but in the end remembred
himselfe that the prophesie which he had heard long before that time, of the
comming of Birnane wood to Dunsinane castell, was likelie to be now
fulfilled. Neuerthelesse, he brought his men in order of battell, and
exhorted them to doo valiantlie, howbeit his enimies had scarselie cast from
them their boughs, when Makbeth perceiuing their numbers, betooke him streict* to flight, whom Makduffe pursued with great
hatred euen till he came vnto Lunfannaine, where Makbeth perceiuing that
Makduffe was hard at his backe, leapt beside his horsse,* saieng; "Thou traitor, what meaneth it that
thou shouldest thus in vaine follow me that am no appointed to be slaine by
anie creature that is borne of woman, come on therefore, and receiue thy
reward which thou hast deserued for thy paines," and therwithall he
lifted vp his swoord thinking to haue slaine him.
But Makduffe quicklie
auoiding from his horsse, yer* he came at him, answered (with his naked swoord
in his hand) saieng: "It is true Makbeth, and now shall thine
insatiable crueltie haue an end, for I am euen he that thy wizzards haue told
thée of, who was neuer borne of my mother, but ripped out of her wombe:"
therewithall he stept vnto him, and slue him in the place. Then cutting his
head from his shoulders, he set it vpon a pole, and brought it vnto Malcolme.
This was the end of Makbeth, after he had reigned 17
yeeres ouer the Scotishmen. In the beginning of his reigne he accomplished
manie woorthie acts, verie profitable to the common-wealth (as ye haue heard)
but afterward by illusion of the diuell, he defamed the same with most
terrible crueltie. He was slaine in the yéere of the incarnation, 1057, and
in the 16 yeere of king Edwards reigne ouer the Englishmen.
MALCOLME
Malcolme Cammore thus
recouering the relme (as ye haue heard) by support of king Edward, in the 16
yeere of the same Edwards reigne, he was crowned at Scone the 25 day of
Aprill, in the yéere of our Lord 1057. Immediatlie after his coronation he
called a parlement at Forfair, in the which he rewarded them with lands and
liuings that had assisted him against Makbeth, aduancing them to fées and
offices as he saw cause, & commanded that speciallie those that bare the
surname of anie offices or lands, should haue and inioy the same. He created
manie earles, lords, barons, and knights. Manie of them that before were
thanes, were at this time made earles, as Fife, Menteth, Atholl, Leuenox,
Murrey, Cathnes, Rosse, and Angus. These were the first earles that haue beene
heard of amongst the Scotishmen (as their histories doo make mention.)
|