Who were the monarchs during Macbeth's life and what was their significance?

Answer 1

The historical record hasn't indicated when Macbeth [d. August 15, 1057] was born. But his father, Findlaech mac Ruaidri, died in 1020. So sometime during that year would have been the latest that Macbeth would have been born. Macbeth was King of Scotland for 17 years, 1040-1057. He succeeded King Duncan I [d. August 14, 1040], who had been killed by his own men for having launched an unprovoked, unpopular, unjustified and unjust invasion of Macbeth's lands. King Duncan was the immediate successor to King Malcolm II [d. November 25, 1034]. Malcolm had ruled since 1005. Something significant about the three kings during Macbeth's life was their relationship to each other. Macbeth's mother was Malcolm's daughter or granddaughter. Duncan's parents were Crinan [d. 1045], Hereditary Abbot of Dunkeld; and Bethoc, Malcolm's eldest daughter. So Macbeth's and Duncan's mothers were related as sisters or as niece and aunt. Some sources even have identified Bethoc as the wife first to Macbeth's father, and then to Duncan's.

Answer 2

During Macbeth's life, the monarchs of Scotland were Duncan, Malcolm, and Macbeth himself. Duncan was the king before Macbeth, and his murder by Macbeth led to a chain of events that ultimately brought about Macbeth's demise. Malcolm succeeded Macbeth as the rightful heir to the throne.