Shakespeare's Shocking Distortion of History Revealed

[@mouthforwar17]

Great video, but we cant forget to mention the political system of Scotland which MacBeth ruled in. Tanistry was a political system whereby the king of Scots was essentially chosen by nobility based on his power. MacBeth believed Duncan had taken his turn to be king, or was unqualified, and so MacBeth's slaying of Duncan was an acceptable response. Scotland also flourished under MacBeth as well

[@AlexIlesUK]

Thank you, I do try to get as much detail in as possible but you are right that is a useful nuance that could have added another element to the story.

[@Hfil66]

So, William Shakespeare treated history the same way that Hollywood treats history. Why should that be surprising?

[@AlexIlesUK]

That's a fair enough assessment!

[@patrickporter1864]

Not just distorted to suit the Hollywood view buttosuitthe pitics of the day in London.

[@Hfil66]

@@patrickporter1864 Hollywood too buckles under the pressure of politics (maybe not so much party politics as woke politics).

[@finncullen]

He was creating entertainment not study material - it's happened throughout history. Take a look at Braveheart (battle of Stirling Bridge without a bridge, William Wallace being portrayed as a simple honorable man rather than a seasoned, wealthy mercenary who'd fought for the English, having sex with a glamorous French princess... who at the time of his death was four years old) - absolute nonsense. At least Shakespeare had the virtue of writing well and memorably with his fictional tales.

[@AlexIlesUK]

@finncullen amazing summary!

[@debbiegilmour6171]

It's been known for decades that MacBeth wasn't any sort of villain. By the standards of lings at the time he was quite decent.

[@AlexIlesUK]

From looking at the comments not everyone knew, but it's good that people are well read like yourself.

[@forasfeasa]

Great video. An important piece of history well told.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Thank you; glad you've enjoyed it!

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

Wow. Didnt even know Moray was a kingdom unto itself in old Alba. Kind of figured Shakespeare used artistic license with MacBeth. Your videos are always a learning experience, Alex.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Thank you! The Early medieval British isles is one of my passions!

[@AustinB.3322]

I am also excited about hillforts.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Hurrah! Need to find a way of making a episode more than a hundred people watch!!

[@AustinB.3322]

@@AlexIlesUK Maybe try dressing in period costumes for your presentations? People who do that seem to get a lot of views for that alone. Just a thought.

[@AlexIlesUK]

@AustinB.3322 it's a thought. Will be having a chat with my editors about ideas prior to Christmas. Thanks for the suggestion

[@Dishfire101]

King James 6th of Scots when he took over England in 1603 Shakespeare wanted to be in King James good books that's why it's also true the House of Stuart Vs the House of Alpin was very confusing 😂

[@AlexIlesUK]

Which part was confusing?

[@nigelsheppard625]

James VI was the King of Scotland that became King of England and Wales. Therefore in writing about Scottish History Shakespeare had to flatter the Kings family and heritage.

[@AlexIlesUK]

That was certainly a reason!

[@daviddavidk2352]

My distant ancestor was King Duncan, but my line of the Dunkelds was through the Gospatricks of Dunbar. This episode is fascinating as this era of history and the alliances between the rival kingdoms is intriguing. As was the times of the early Middle Ages and the power struggles that saw the fall of the house of Dunkeld.

[@AlexIlesUK]

I love the middle ages and wish more people wanted to look into it!

[@daviddavidk2352]

@ The whole era fascinates me and it amazes me how wide the spheres of influence were spread, as seen in the marriages and alliances that occurred throughout that period. In my line they are Irish, Icelandic, Norse, Wessex, Flanders, German

[@AnneDowson-vp8lg]

I'm descended from King Duncan too and Crimthann Abbot of Dunkeld. I do not agree that the Scots ruined Scotland.

[@daviddavidk2352]

@@AnneDowson-vp8lg and then possibly back through 200 generations of the High Kings of Ireland, that are all recorded

[@adelwulf8864]

Shakespear taking the side of the userpers. Imagine my shock. Couldn't be a hint of habit in there from writing during the Tudor era could there...

[@AlexIlesUK]

Couldn't say.... I prefer Midsummer nights dream or the Taming of the Shrew

[@AustinB.3322]

Things exactly like this are still going on today.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Always have and will continue to happen.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

"So it turns out Macbeth wasn't a bad guy." We know. We have seen Gargoyles.

[@AlexIlesUK]

I don't understand the reference.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

@@AlexIlesUK It's an old Walt Disney animated series. Macbeth is one of the characters, and it's quite an honorable villain/anti-hero with a tragic backstory.

[@ColinBlack-j5n]

It is pronounced Murray like Andy not like the eel.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Well, there's always one mistake I make ;)

[@mktf5582]

Needs to be a Braveheart version of Moravia/Moray, and their brave struggles against the brutal conquest of Scoatland.

[@AlexIlesUK]

Exactly! The Scots, they ruined Scotland ;)

[@mktf5582]

@@AlexIlesUK In these times of nationalism, Scoatnats/secessionists who whine victimization/colonialism should remember, = those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones/let those without sin cast the first stone.

[@MAW51187]

Interesting

[@AlexIlesUK]

I'm glad it was interesting

[@MAW51187]

@ thank you for the presentation.

[@mktf5582]

Uhtred the Bold - Ulcytel Snillingr - Hereward the Wake - Willikin of the Weald - William Marshal Earl Pembroke.

[@AlexIlesUK]

That's a list of names

[@mktf5582]

@@AlexIlesUK All individuals who has stories/parts in history, some more than others but all deserved to be told, i too love history passionately.

[@mktf5582]

@@AlexIlesUK Oh i have a lot more if you wish.

[@Wee_Langside]

Love hillforts

[@TheFlyingHaggis]

Family, eh. What yi gonna do 🤷‍♂️

[@AlexIlesUK]

Fight them for the thrown apparently!

[@TheFlyingHaggis]

😂

[@Dishfire101]

King James 6th and 1st this is the right order NOT James 1st and 6th he was King of Scots before he took over England 😂

[@AlexIlesUK]

👍🏻

[@debbiegilmour6171]

Moray is pronounced Murray

[@AlexIlesUK]

I had to get something wrong :)

[@mktf5582]

Restore the Kingdom of Moray/Moravia from Scoatish overlords.

[@AlexIlesUK]

As a Northumbrian I'll back you to the hilt!

[@mktf5582]

@AlexIlesUK As a Lancashire Lad/Mancunian/Northumbrian think Ancient Kingdoms need to rise to prominence again.

[@mktf5582]

@AlexIlesUK Galloway/Hebrides both need freeing from Scoatland as well.

[@CuFhoirthe88]

Only if you'll let Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria be independent too.

[@mktf5582]

@@CuFhoirthe88 OK.