Lady Macbeth: Chapter 29  Summary & Analysis

It is now the year 1050, a decade and a half after Macbeth’s crowning. Thanks to Macbeth, Scotland has enjoyed years of peace, and so Gruadh goes to visit Mother Enya with only a small envoy.

Gruadh reflects on past battles—Macbeth killed Crinan six years earlier, and bested the Earl of Siward, uncle of Malcolm mac Duncan and Donald Bán, although the second battle left him with a limp. Now, in 1050, Gruadh discusses politics with her friends and guards. Angus believes Malcolm mac Duncan has the Saxon king Edward’s support, and has spent his whole life nursing resentment for Macbeth.

Macbeth is currently in Rome, visiting the newly elected Pope. This is the first pilgrimage ever undertaken by a Scottish king. Macbeth, along with Thorfin, attended a meeting of kings and leaders organized by the Pope, who “dreamed of unity among leaders in the West,” or, at least, dreamed of coinage from them.

Macbeth brought the simple clothes of a religious pilgrim with him, as well as a “small sack of the earth of Scotland,” so “he would not leave Scotland entirely.” He left Gruadh behind, and she serves as regent—managing trade, land disputes, and even legal judgments.

Over the past decade Gruadh gave birth to two sons. The first, Ferchar, died before he turned two. The second, Cormac, died at six months old. Gruadh realizes history will likely say “the good wife of Macbeth […]. was barren,” and people will wonder why he did not replace her with a more fertile wife. She knows some will assume that he remained married to Gruadh because of the strength of her bloodline, but in reality, they remain married because they love each other and rule well as a couple.

Gruadh notes Macbeth became more religious after the death of his sons and spent a lot of time with his private priest. He worries that because he murdered Gilcomgan and Duncan, his first cousins, he has cursed himself and prevented himself from ever having heirs.

Over the years, Mother Enya and Gruadh have become friends. First, they talk, and then they look into the water to see the future. Enya tells Graudh she sees a ship and Macbeth will be home soon. However, she also sees Viking ships, and tells Gruadh she must act now to save Macbeth. Enya pushes Gruadh out the door.

Gruadh and her men rush to the beach. Thorfin and Ketill, come to great them. Angus and two other guards ride out to defend Gruadh, but Thorfin raises his arm and uses magic to stop the warriors in their tracks. This is the first time Gruadh has seen Thorfin use this kind of power, and suspects he used magic to sink Duncan’s warships many years ago.

Gruadh decides to hear what Thorfin has to say, although she still doesn’t fully trust him after he abducted her as a child. He tells her they have since made a truce and warns her Saxon ships approach, intending to sink Macbeth’s ship. Malcolm mac Duncan knows if he “should sink the king’s ship […] in full sight of his people, and then invade Scotland, he could take the kingship.” Thorfin, who does not want to see Malcolm as king, offers Viking assistance on water, and Gruadh readies troops to defend the land.

The next morning, Gruadh stands on the cliffs of Moray backed by twelve hundred soldiers, with her son, Lulach, and her friends—Ruari, Angus, and others—by her side.  Gruadh wears the armor Finn made for her many years before.

From her perch Gruadh watches Thorfin’s long ships hide themselves along the shoreline. Gruadh then watches Macbeth’s merchant vessel slowly make its way towards shore, and Saxon ships approach from the south, hoping to attack and trap Macbeth. Gruadh orders her troops down to the beach, reasoning that Malcolm mac Duncan “must know that no matter what happens on the sea today, he will not set foot on this land!” She knows that she, her troops and her country “could not lose all we had, all we loved, heritage and pride and our very selves.” This display reminds her of the gathering of forces when Macbeth won the kingship from Duncan.

Malcolm mac Duncan’s ships chase Macbeth’s, but just when they are about to overtake him, Thorfin’s Viking ships reveal themselves and chase Malcolm’s boats away. Although they have won the battle today, Lulach comments that Malcolm will return by land, now that he knows he cannot attack by water.