In William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, this title was given to Macbeth after the previous Thane of Cawdor was captured and executed for treason against King Duncan.[2]
The historical King Macbeth fought a Thane of Cawdor who died in battle, but he did not thereby acquire the title himself.[citation needed]
The 2nd Earl Cawdor wrote a history of the Thanes of Cawdor, published in 1859.[1]
According to the 2nd Earl, the first thane was originally a Celticchieftain who allied with Anglo-SaxonKing of Scots at a time lost to the historical record.