When Does the Audio-Drama "Dunsinane" (2011) Take Place?

"Dunsinane" is a historical fiction audio-drama written by David Greig [adapting "Dunsinane" (2010) by David Greig] that released January 30th, 2011. So when is "Dunsinane" set? 


It takes place in the years: 

1054 AD - 1058 AD 


We know this because the real-world Scottish Queen Gruoch ingen Boite (1015-1060) appears as a main character. So, although her exact birth and death dates are unknown, it must be sometime 1000 AD and 1070 AD. 

More specifically, the play's opening depicts the night before the Battle of Dunsinane, which happened on July 27th, 1054 AD in the real world. English General Siward declares, "Tomorrow, before the sun's up, we'll surround the tyrant." Then, soon after, "To Dunsinane and the fight to take it!" So it must be July of 1054 AD at the beginning. 

Very near the end of the story Siward says, "Your son is dead, I killed him. I've brought him back to you. I've brought him back so you can bury him." Almost immediately, Gruoch says, "Lulach. He was never a bold boy. Startled by noises. He would have been a careful king," referring to the Scottish King Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin (1032-1058) who died on March 17th, 1058 AD in the real world. So it's almost certainly March of 1058 AD at the end. 

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