Join Alina K. Field for the facts about the Real Macbeth that lie behind her novel Fated Hearts
A few years ago I took on the project of adapting the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth for the Tragic Characters in Literature series. My mission? Move Macbeth’s story into the Regency era and give him the happy-ever-after ending that romance readers require.
To do that, I took a look at the real Macbeth.
Macbeth King of Scotland, by Jacob De Wet II 1641
An age of bloodshed
The real Macbeth lived from 1005 to 1057 and ruled in a bloody time when kings seized power by force.
I’ve heard it said that people chose their kings and nobles because of–not in spite of–their ruthlessness. They needed rulers willing to do whatever it took to keep the peace in the land and invaders at bay. The Celts suffered through plenty of invaders from the east and the south.
Medieval Scotland
Celtic governance originated in Ireland, spreading to Scottish Celts. The passing of leadership from one king to the next was called tanistry. Titles weren’t automatically passed from father to son by the Celts. Rather, the heir was chosen from kinsmen related through the male line. (To further complicate things, the Scottish Picts apparently allowed tanistry succession through the mother’s line. It sounds like a recipe for conflict, and we see that in Macbeth’s story.)
Bucking the rules of tanistry, Malcolm II, who was king when Macbeth was born, named his grandson through a female line, Duncan, as his successor. Macbeth killed Duncan not in his bed, but in battle, and claimed the throne of Scotland with no opposition. Duncan’s son, Malcolm, escaped Scotland.
A Pilgrimage Before the End
While Macbeth’s reign was not without challenges, it was peaceful enough for him to take time off for a pilgrimage to Rome during the papacy of Pope Leo IX. After his return, he was killed in battle by Duncan’s son, Malcolm Canmore, and then Macbeth’s stepson, Lulach, reigned for a few months before Malcolm killed him also and took the throne as Malcolm III.
Lady Macbeth
Who was she? Shakespeare doesn’t tell us, but it seems that Macbeth took a lady named Gruoch to wife, the widow of his cousin, Gille Coemgáin.
Gille had killed Macbeth’s father to take the kingship of Moray; Macbeth killed Gille and took back Moray. I found nothing to indicate that the real Lady Macbeth spurred Macbeth on to murder.
Macbeth and the Witches by Romney, 1785
Shakespeare’s Witches
The witches of Shakespeare’s play were never recorded in the history that he drew from. However, he was writing during the rule of James I, Elizabeth’s Scottish successor. The Bard would have known of the king’s 1597 book, Daemonology, and his fascination with witches. It’s always wise to keep your audience in mind.
Source: https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/the-real-macbeth/
About the Book
Fated Hearts, A Love After All Retelling of the Scottish Play
Plagued by memories of war and visions of coming battle, a Scottish Baron meets the daughter he denied was his, and his only true love—the wife he divorced. He soon discovers that the jealous enemy who drove them apart has resurfaced, more treacherous than ever. When his lady and daughter fall into a vengeful trap, can he reach them in time?
On sale for 99 cents through July 18, 2025.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/FatedHeartsbyAlinaKField
About Alina K. Field
Award winning and USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but prefers the much happier world of romance fiction. Though her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California, where she shares a midcentury home with her spunky, blond rescued terrier and a friendly chihuahua. She is the author of several Regency romances, including the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner, Rosalyn’s Ring. Though hard at work on her next series of romantic adventures, she loves to hear from readers!
Website: https://alinakfield.com/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinak.field/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/
Newsletter signup: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z6q6e3