Macbeth was born circa 1005 and died (killed in battle) on
August 15,1057. Macbeth was actually a competent monarch who
suffered badly at the hands of William Shakespeare. Although he had
a sound claim to the throne of Scotland he had to deal with many who
would take his place, including Crinan and Duncan's sons Malcolm and
Donald Bane.
Donald Bane, also spelled Donaldbane, or Donalbane, Bane also
spelled Ban or Bain was born circa 1033 and died sometime shortly
after 1097. He was king of Scotland from November 1093 to May 1094
and from November 1094 to October 1097.
Upon the death of his brother Malcolm III Cænmore in 1093 there
was a fierce contest for the crown. Donald Bane besieged Edinburgh
Castle, took it, and, with the support of the Celtic Scots and the
custom of tanistry (the Celtic system of electing kings or chiefs;
whereby the successor of a king was elected during his lifetime from
the eldest and worthiest of his kin, often a brother or cousin in
preference to a descendant), he was king nominally for at least six
months. He was expelled by Duncan II, son of Malcolm, assisted by
English and Normans and some Saxons. Duncan’s reign was equally
short, for Donald Bane had his nephew slain and again reigned for
three years.
These years saw the last attempt of the Celts to maintain a king
of their race and a kingdom governed according to their customs.
Edgar the Aetheling, who had newly befriended William Rufus, the
Norman King of England, led an army into Scotland, dispossessed
Donald Bane, and advanced his nephew Edgar, son of Malcolm III, as
sole king of the Scots.
It is fitting that Donald Bane was interred, as was Macbeth, at
the Isle of Iona, with the ancient Celtic Kings of Dalriada, Alba
and Scotland around him. He was the last Scottish King to be buried
there.
