BattlefieldsMacbeth Pilgrimage to Rome 1050
Early Medieval

Macbeth Pilgrimage to Rome 1050

1050
Moray, Scotland
Also known as: Macbeth in Rome 1050 · Macbeth scattered alms in Rome
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Moray, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
(Pilgrimage, not combat). Symbolic demonstration of power.
VS
Victor
Macbeth mac Findlaich (kingdom held in his absence)
Forces
Macbeth's kingdom: uncontested
Outcome
Macbeth made a pilgrimage to Rome; Scotland peaceful enough for king to be absent
The Battle

History & Significance

The Irish annals record that in 1050 Macbeth went to Rome and 'scattered money like seed' to the poor. His ability to make this long absence from Scotland shows that his kingship was genuinely secure at this midpoint of his reign -- unlike Shakespeare's tortured tyrant, the historical Macbeth was confident enough in his hold on the kingdom to be away for months. The pilgrimage also suggests a pious king at peace with the Church, something Shakespeare's regicide could never have achieved.

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