Malcolm II of Scotland

Malcolm II of Scotland (Máel Coluim mac Cináeda) (c. 954 – November 25, 1034) was King of Scotland (Alba) from 1005 to 1034. He was the son of King Kenneth II and first cousin of his predecessor, King Kenneth III (Cináed mac Duib), who was murdered by Malcolm at the Battle of Monzievaird in 1005.

Related Topics:
954 - November 25 - 1034 - King of Scotland - 1005 - Kenneth II - Kenneth III - Battle of Monzievaird

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His rule was contested for ten years during the reign of Kenneth III but Malcolm finally gained the throne after Kenneth's death. It appears that he only ruled part of Scotland during his reign, in opposition to leaders from Moray such as Findláech mac Ruadrí (d. 1020, probably father of Macbeth), and Máel Coluim mac Máel Brigte (d. 1029), both of whom were also called kings of Alba (and therefore Scotland) in the Irish annals, though neither are called kings of Scotland in modern texts. In 1006, Malcolm was defeated by Northumbrian forces at Durham. The English then became preoccupied with the Danish allowing Malcolm to march south, avenging the loss at Durham by winning the Battle of Carham against the Anglo-Saxons in 1018 and, thereby, regaining Lothian. Thirteen years later, however, Canute, king of England, Denmark, and Norway, travelled to Scotland. What happened is lost to time, but claims that Malcolm submitted to Canute seem very unlikely. However, Canute seems to have recognised Malcolm's possession of Lothian.

Related Topics:
1020 - Macbeth - 1029 - Alba - Irish - 1006 - Northumbrian - Durham - English - Danish - Battle of Carham - Anglo-Saxon - 1018 - Lothian - Canute - Norway

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In the west, Malcolm made an alliance with King Owen the Bald of Strathclyde and together they defeated King Canute at the Battle of Carham in 1018. At the same time, the marriage of his daughter to Sigurd the Stout, Norse Earl of Orkney, extended Malcolm's influence to the far north. He battled to expand his kingdom, gaining land down to the River Tweed and in Strathclyde. When King Owen died without an heir, Malcolm claimed Strathclyde for his grandson, Duncan. This caused dissent throughout the kingdom of Strathclyde which resulted in Malcolm's murder at Glamis in 1034. He was buried on the Isle of Iona shortly after.

Related Topics:
Owen the Bald of Strathclyde - Sigurd the Stout - Norse - Orkney - River Tweed - Strathclyde - Glamis - 1034 - Iona

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As the last of the House of Alpin, he did not have any sons to succeed him. He, therefore, arranged good marriages for his daughters. One daughter married Earl Sigurd of Orkney and their son Thorfinn brought the lands of Caithness and Sutherland under the control of the King of Alba. His elder daughter, Bethoc, married Crínán, the Abbot of Dunkeld and their son became Duncan I (c.1010-1040), who succeeded Malcolm upon his death in 1034.

Related Topics:
Sigurd of Orkney - Thorfinn - Caithness - Sutherland - Crínán - Abbot of Dunkeld - Duncan I - 1010 - 1040

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