Siward and Malcolm's victory over Macbeth at Dunsinane set in motion the chain of events that ended Macbeth's reign and led to Malcolm III becoming King of Scotland.
Key Facts
- Date
- 27 July 1054
- Location
- Dunsinane Hill, Perthshire, Scotland
- Outcome
- Victory for Siward and Malcolm Canmore
- Macbeth's later death
- Killed at Battle of Lumphanan, 1057
- Malcolm III crowned
- 1058
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Siward, Earl of Northumbria, launched a military campaign in support of Malcolm Canmore's claim to the Scottish throne. Macbeth had held the throne since 1040, when he killed Malcolm's father, Duncan I, at the Battle of Pitgaveny. This dynastic grievance provided the justification for an armed intervention into Scotland on Malcolm's behalf.
On 27 July 1054, the forces of Macbeth, King of Scotland, clashed with an army led by Siward of Northumbria and Malcolm Canmore, traditionally at Dunsinane Hill in Perthshire. The battle ended in a decisive victory for Siward and Malcolm, driving back Macbeth's forces and giving Malcolm a foothold in Scotland.
Following the battle, Siward returned to Northumbria, leaving Malcolm in control of territories from which he could continue to press his claim. Macbeth was eventually killed at the Battle of Lumphanan in 1057. After a brief reign by Macbeth's stepson Lulach, who also fell in battle, Malcolm was crowned Malcolm III of Scotland in 1058.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Macbeth, King of Scotland.
Side B
1 belligerent
Siward, Earl of Northumbria, Malcolm Canmore.