Gillecomgain

Gillecomgain.

Gillecomgain was the first Hunter.

History

A young Gillecomgain with his father, after being scratched by Demona.

Gillecomgain was a young peasant boy living near Castle Wyvern in 994 with his abusive father. He had the misfortune to come upon Demona as she was stealing food from the stables shortly after the Wyvern Massacre, and she promptly slashed him in the face, permanently scarring him, In absolute bitterness, he vowed revenge upon both Demona and her entire race.

When he grew up, Gillecomgain made good his vow by becoming the Hunter, and hunting down Demona. Though it was Demona who gave him his drive and focus, it was his father who gave him the darkness.

He also entered Prince Duncan's service as a paid assassin, however, and in 1020, murdered Findlaech for him. Duncan rewarded him by appointing him High Steward of Moray, and twelve years later, saw to it that he married Gruoch.

Gillecomgain as the Hunter.

After Gillecomgain and Gruoch’s marriage, Duncan asked Gillecomgain to murder Macbeth, to keep him from threatening Duncan’s plans for the succession further; Gillecomgain refused, however, believing that an "accidental" death for Macbeth at this point would look too suspicious. Duncan, angry at being defied, promptly informed Macbeth that Gillecomgain and the Hunter were one and the same, thus ensuring that Macbeth and Gillecomgain would fight each other after all. Macbeth sought Gillecomgain out at Castle Moray, on the same night that Demona (through the urging of the Weird Sisters) also came there in search of the Hunter; in the ensuing battle, Demona learned that Gillecomgain and the Hunter were one and the same, and finally slew him.

Gillecomgain may have been the father of Luach by Gruoch, although Luach’s paternity remains uncertain.

Real-World Background

Gillecomgain was a historical figure, who indeed did murder Findlaech in 1020, marry Gruoch, become by her the father of Luach, and was finally slain in 1032. However, contrary to the series, he was in real history a kinsman of Findlaech and Macbeth and a member of Clan Moray; he acted on his own behalf in slaying Findlaech apparently, and there is no indication that he was employed by Duncan to do the deed.

Production Background

Voice Actor: Cam Clarke, Jim Cummings