In 1042, Macbeth was crowned King Of Scots after seizing the kingdom from Duncan. Duncan’s son Malcolm escaped and sought refuge with Earl Siward over the border in Northumbria. Under the Earl’s guidance, Malcolm sought the patronage of Edward the Confessor and visited him at his court. Edward supported his claim and provided him with a detachment of Royal Huscarls. Inevitably, in 1054, Malcolm and Siward invaded Scotland in a twin pronged attack, going up the Lothian coast in boats and by land, most probably through Lothian and then north. Malcolm commanded a very impressive, high quality force including the Huscarls of Siward and Edward. The campaign ended in one large and bloody battle – the Battle of the Seven Sleepers. Later, chroniclers put the death totals in thousands but despite the difficulty of such accounts they are all consistent with a terrible and hard fought battle. However, the campaign had not gone according to plan as Macbeth escaped and Northumbrian losses were very heavy, including many of the King’s Huscarls, Siward’s own son Osbern and his nephew Siward. Macbeth’s losses appear to comprise of most of his army including all the Norman knights of Osbern Pentecost and Hugo who had sought refuge with Macbeth after the return to England from exile of Godwine, Earl Of Wessex, in 1052. The battle effectively ended Macbeth’s reign and split Scotland. Macbeth withdrew into Moray, the heartland of his power and held sway there for a further three years, harrying Malcolm. Siward installed Malcolm as king immediately after the battle. In 1057 Malcolm’s forces attacked deep into Moray and Macbeth was cornered and killed seventeen years to the day after Macbeth’s murder of Malcolm’s father, King Duncan. Miniatures, text and terrain very kindly provided by Gripping Beast and the London Gamers. Thanks for your help! |
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