Cultural depictions of Malcolm II of Scotland

Last updated June 02, 2024

Malcolm II of Scotland has been depicted in historical fiction.

The historical novel Pride of Lions (1996) by Morgan Llywelyn, depicts Malcolm II married to Blanaid. Blanaid herself depicted as a daughter of Brian Boru.^[1] The novel used as fact a theory mentioned in a non-fiction book, Brian Boru, King of Ireland (1982) by Roger Chatterton-Newman. That Malcolm II was a son-in-law and ally to Brian Boru. However, Chatterton-Newman failed to note his own sources on the subject, and genealogist Stewart Baldwin has doubted the plausibility of the connection.^[2] The main plot of the novel features a conflict between Donnchad mac Briain and his half-brother Tadc mac Briain over the throne of Munster. Donnchad and his mother Gormflaith ingen Murchada travel by sea to Scotland, seeking the aid of Donnchad's brother-in-law Malcolm II. The old woman manages to settle the alliance.^[3]
The historical novel Macbeth: An Historical Novel of the Last Celtic King (2011) by Robert Harrison, opens with the victory of Malcolm II over his predecessor Kenneth III of Scotland. "Malcolm stood above the wounded King, sword upraised. No words were spoken, for they both knew the penalty of defeat. The blade whistled in its swiftness, and the bloody head of Kenneth rolled in the mud."^[4]

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The Battle of Pitgaveny, also called the Battle of Bothnagowan, was fought between the forces of Duncan I of Scotland and Macbeth, at the time the ruler of Moray, on 14 August 1040. The battle was part of a campaign by Duncan into Moray against Macbeth. It was fought at Bothganown, modern day Pitgaveny, near Elgin. The battle was a victory for Macbeth and resulted in Duncan's death.

References

↑ John T. Strunk, Clan Macbeth
↑ Baldwin, Stewart, Brian Boruma and Malcolm of Scotland (1998)
↑ Kirkus Reviews (1996)
↑ Harrison (2011), Macbeth: An Historical Novel of the Last Celtic King, p. 1

Sources

Harrison, Robert (2011), Macbeth: An Historical Novel of the Last Celtic King, iUniverse, ISBN 978-1462016129

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[Strunk-1] John T. Strunk, Clan Macbeth

[Baldwin-2] Baldwin, Stewart, Brian Boruma and Malcolm of Scotland (1998)

[Kirkus-3] Kirkus Reviews (1996)

[Harrison-4] Harrison (2011), Macbeth: An Historical Novel of the Last Celtic King, p. 1

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