E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Redmain.
Magnus, Earl of North-umberland, was so called not from his red or bloody hand, but on account of his long red beard or mane. He was slain in the battle of Sark (1449).
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“He was remarkable for his long red beard, and was therefore called by the English Magnus Redbeard; but the Scotch in derision called him ‘Magnus with the Red Mane.’”—Godscroft, fol. 178.
