Chapter Macaire to MacFittoch of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Macaire to MacFittoch

Macaire (Le Chevalier Richard), a French knight, who, aided by lieutenant Landry, murdered Aubry de Montdidier in the forest of Bondy, in 1371. Montdidier’s dog, named Dragon, showed such an aversion to Macaire, that suspicion was aroused, and the man and dog were pitted to single combat. The result was fatal to the man, who died confessing his guilt. See the Chanson de Geste (twelfth century).

There are two French plays on the subject, one entitled Le Chien de Montargis, and the other Le Chien d’Aubry. The former of these has been adapted to the English stage. Dragon was called Chien de Montargis, because the assassination took place near this castle, and was depicted in the great hall over the chimney-piece.

N.B.—In the English drama, the sash of the murdered man is found in the possession of lieutenant Macaire, and is recognized by Ursula, who worked the sword-knot, and gave it to captain Aubri, who was her sweetheart. Macaire then confessed the crime. His accomplice, lieutenant Landry, trying to escape, was seized by the dog Dragon, and bitten to death.

For a similar dog-tale, see Talisman.

The story is contained in the Chanson de Geste of the twelfth century, and is called La reine Sibile.

Macaire (Robert), a cant name for a Frenchman.

MacAlpine (Jeanie), landlady of the Clachan o Aberfoyle.—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (time, George I.).

Macamut, a sultan of Cambaya, who lived so much upon poison that his very breath and touch were fatal.—Purchas: Pilgrimage (1613).

MacAnaleister (Eachin), a follower of Rob Roy.—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (time, George I.).

Macare , the impersonation of good temper.—Voltaire: Thelème and Macare (an allegory).

Macaulay (Angus), a Highland chief in the army of the earl of Montrose.

Allan Macaulay or “Allan of the Red Hand,” brother of Angus. Allan is “a seer,” in love with Annot Lyle. He stabs the earl of Menteith on the eve of his marriage, out of jealousy, but the earl recovers and marries Annot Lyle.—Sir W. Scott: Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).

Macbeth, son of Sinel thane of Glamis, and grandson of Malcolm II. by his second daughter; the elder daughter married Crynin, father of Duncan who succeeded his grandfather on the throne. Hence king Duncan and Macbeth were cousins. Duncan, staying as a guest with Macbeth at the castle of Inverness (1040), was murdered by his host, who then usurped the crown. The battle which Macbeth had just won was this: Sueno king of Norway had landed with an army in Fife, for the purpose of invading Scotland; Macbeth and Banquo were sent against him, and defeated him with such loss, that only ten men of all his army escaped alive. Macbeth was promised by the witches (1) that none of woman born should kill him; and (2) that he should not die till Birnam Wood removed to Dunsinane. He was slain in battle by Macduff, who was “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped;” and as for the moving wood, the soldiers of Macduff, in their march to Dunsinane, were commanded to carry boughs of the forest before them; to conceal their numbers.

Lady Macbeth, wife of Macbeth, a woman of great ambition and inexorable will. When her husband told her that the witches prophesied he should be king, she induced him to murder Duncan, who was at the time their guest. She would herself have done it, but “he looked in sleep so like her father that she could not.” However, when Macbeth had murdered the king, she felt no scruple in murdering the two grooms that slept with him, and throwing the guilt on them. After her husband was crowned, she was greatly troubled by dreams, and used to walk in her sleep, trying to rub from her hands imaginary stains of blood. She died, probably by her own hand.—Shakespeare: Macbeth (1606).