Donald III of Scotland
| Donald III | |
|---|---|
Duncan II | |
| Reign | 1094–1097 |
| Predecessor | Duncan II |
| Successor | Edgar |
| Born | c. 1032 |
| Died | 1099 (aged 66–67) Rescobie, Angus, Kingdom of Scotland |
| Burial | Dunfermline Abbey, later removed to Iona |
| House | Dunkeld |
| Father | Duncan I of Scotland |
| Mother | Suthen |
Donald III (
Early life
Donald was born about 1033, during the reign of his great-grandfather
Following his father's death, Donald went into hiding in Ireland for 17 years, for fear that he would be killed by Macbeth. His elder brother, Malcolm, went to England. It was during this time that Malcolm's grandfather, Crinan of Dunkeld, who was married to Malcolm II's daughter, was killed fighting Macbeth. When Malcolm grew to manhood, he overthrew Macbeth and became the new king. Donald was 25 years old at that time.
Donald's activities during the reign of his elder brother Malcolm III (Máel Coluim mac Donnchada) are not recorded. It appears that he was not his brother's chosen heir, contrary to earlier custom, but that Malcolm had designated Edward, his eldest son by Margaret of Wessex, as the king to come.[2] If this was Malcolm's intent, his death and that of Edward on campaign in Northumbria in November 1093 (see Battle of Alnwick (1093)) confounded his plans. These deaths were followed very soon afterwards by that of Queen Margaret.
Kingship
John of Fordun reports that Donald invaded the kingdom after Queen Margaret's death "at the head of a numerous band", and laid siege to Edinburgh with Malcolm's sons by Margaret inside. Fordun has Margaret's brother Edgar Ætheling take his nephews to England to keep them safe.[3] Andrew of Wyntoun's much simpler account has Donald become king and banish his nephews. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records only that Donald was chosen as king and expelled the English from the court.[4]
In May 1094, Donald's nephew Duncan (Donnchad mac Maíl Coluim), son of Malcolm and his first wife, Ingibiorg Finnsdottir, invaded at the head of an army of Anglo-Normans and Northumbrians, aided by his half-brother Edmund and his father-in-law Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria. This invasion succeeded in placing Duncan on the throne, but an uprising defeated his allies and he was compelled to send away his foreign troops. Duncan was then killed on 12 November 1094 by Máel Petair, Mormaer of Mearns.[5] The Annals of Ulster say that Duncan was killed on the orders of Donald (incorrectly called his brother) and Edmund.[6]
Donald resumed power, probably with Edmund as his designated heir.[7] Donald was an elderly man by then, at around 62 years old, and without any known sons, so that an heir was clearly required. William of Malmesbury says that Edmund bargained "for half the kingdom", suggesting that Donald granted his nephew an appanage to rule.[8]
Descendants
Donald left one known child, a daughter Bethoc, who married Uchtred (or Hadrian) de Tyndale, Lord of Tyndale.
Fictional depictions
The minor character of Donalbain in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth represents Donald III.
Notes
- Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findlaích) in the Hebrides, but this is unlikely given his age; McDonald, p. 104.
- ^ Scottish Annals, p. 112, quoting Symeon of Durham; Duncan, p. 54; Oram, David I, p. 39.
- ^ Fordun, V, xxi.
- ^ Scottish Annals, pp.117–118; Oram, David I, pp. 40–41.
- ^ Oram, David I, pp. 42–44.
- ^ Annals of Ulster, s.a. 1094.
- ^ Duncan, pp. 55–56; Oram, David I, pp. 44–45.
- ^ Anderson, SAEC, pp. 118–119.
- ^ Oram, David I, p. 45.
- ^ a b Anderson, SAEC, p. 119.
- ^ Annals of Tigernach, s.a. 1097.
- ^ Fordun, V, xxvi; Duncan, pp. 57–58; Oram, David I, pp. 47–48.
- ^ Young, Alan, Robert the Bruce's Rivals: The Comyns, 1213–1314, (East Linton, 1997), pp15 -
- ^ Duncan, pp. 241, 270, & 348–349.
- ^ Annals of Ulster, s.a. 1116; McDonald, p. 23.
References
- Anderson, Alan Orr, Scottish Annals from English Chroniclers A.D. 500–1286. D. Nutt, London, 1908.
- Ashley, Mike., "British Kings & Queens." Carroll & Graf, NY,2002. ISBN 0-7867-1104-3, pg. 115
- Duncan, A.A.M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independence. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
- ISBN 1-897853-05-X
- McDonald, R. Andrew, Outlaws of Medieval Scotland: Challenges to the Canmore Kings, 1058–1266. Tuckwell Press, East Linton, 2003. ISBN 1-86232-236-8
- ISBN 0-7524-2825-X
- Oram, Richard, The Canmores: Kings & Queens of the Scots 1040–1290. Tempus, Stroud, 2002. ISBN 0-7524-2325-8
External links
- Donald III at the official website of the British monarchy
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