Unlike the “King Duncan” of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the historical Duncan was likely a young man. He succeeded his grandfather, Malcolm, as king after Malcolm’s death on November 25, 1034.
Duncan had at least two sons. The eldest, Malcolm III (Mael Coluim mac Donnchada), was king from 1057 to 1093. The second, Donald III (Domnall Bán, or “Donalbane”), became king after Malcolm III’s death.
Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findlaich) was his dux (duke).
In 1039, Duncan led a large Scots army south to seize Durham. The expedition ended in failure; however, Duncan survived. The following year, he led his army north to Moray—Macbeth’s domain. There, on August 14, 1040, he was killed at Pitgaveny near Elgin by his own men, who were led by Macbeth.
My descendants are of both the Armstrong Clan and King Duncan I (Eryvine). Shakespeare’s Macbeth centers on the murder of King Duncan. According to family lore, the Armstrongs earned their name and coat of arms by moving Birnam Wood toward the castle to avenge the king’s death.
On my father’s side, the name is Irwin; on my mother’s side, MacDonald and Armstrong. When traced back, the same pattern emerges—multiple intermarriages among what people call “royalty,” causing the family branches to loop back on themselves. It was common for marriages to be arranged between kingdoms to consolidate power. This pattern appears throughout the family tree, with royal women and consorts from one region often marrying rulers from other realms.
In my case, the line ties into both the Armstrong clan and Duncan I of Scotland. That is where it intersects with Macbeth, as the story centers on Duncan’s murder and the Birnam Wood imagery.
“I will not be afraid of death and bane,
Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.”
In that sense, the narrative comes full circle: on my father’s side, the king was killed; and on my mother’s side, clan tradition connects the Armstrongs to his avenging—symbolized by cutting down and carrying trees from Birnam Wood as camouflage before the assault on the castle. According to tradition, the clan was then bestowed the name and coat of arms “Armstrong” in recognition of their strength of arms and bravery.
SCENE I. A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron.
First Witch
Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d.
Second Witch
Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.
Third Witch
Harpier cries ‘Tis time, ’tis time.
ALL
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
...
MACBETH
I will not be afraid of death and bane,
Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.
...