Donald III of Scotland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Donald III |
|
|---|---|
| King of Scots | |
| Reign | 1093–1094 |
| Predecessor | Malcolm III |
| Successor | 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 was a Scottish king who ruled from 1093 to 1094, and again from 1094 to 1097. He was also known as "Donald the Fair" or "Donald the White." His full name in Medieval Gaelic was Domnall mac Donnchada.
Contents
Donald's Early Life
Donald was born around 1032. His great-grandfather, King Malcolm II, was ruling Scotland at that time. Donald's father, Duncan, became king when Malcolm II died.
Sadly, King Duncan I died in 1040. He was killed by Thane Macbeth, another grandson of King Malcolm II. Macbeth then took the throne.
After his father's death, Donald went into hiding in Ireland for 17 years. He was afraid Macbeth would harm him. His older brother, Malcolm, went to England. Later, Malcolm grew up and defeated Macbeth. Malcolm became the new king, and Donald was about 25 years old.
Donald's life during his brother Malcolm III's rule isn't well known. It seems Malcolm wanted his own son, Edward, to be the next king. But Malcolm and Edward both died in battle in 1093. Soon after, Queen Margaret also passed away. These events changed everything for Donald.
Becoming King of Scots
After Queen Margaret's death, Donald quickly took action. He gathered many supporters and became king. Some stories say he surrounded Edinburgh Castle, where Malcolm's sons were. Other accounts simply state that Donald became king and sent away the English people from the royal court.
Challenges to Donald's Rule
In May 1094, Donald's nephew, Duncan, tried to take the throne. Duncan was Malcolm III's son from his first marriage. He came with an army of Anglo-Normans and Northumbrians. Duncan succeeded for a short time, becoming king.
However, a rebellion soon forced Duncan to send away his foreign soldiers. Duncan was then killed in November 1094. Some records say he was killed on the orders of Donald and his half-brother, Edmund.
Donald then became king again. He was around 62 years old and didn't have any known sons. So, he likely planned for Edmund to be his successor. One writer, William of Malmesbury, suggested that Edmund might have been given control over half the kingdom.
Donald's Final Years
Later, Edgar, another son of Malcolm III and Margaret, sought help. He got support from William Rufus, the King of England. Edgar returned to Scotland with an English army.
Donald's exact fate is not fully clear. Some sources say he was killed. Others say he was expelled from the kingdom. The most common story is that he was blinded and put in prison by Edgar. He was held at Rescobie in Angus. Donald died in prison in 1099, at about 67 years old.
His remains were first buried at Dunfermline Abbey or Dunkeld Cathedral. Later, they were moved to Iona, a sacred island.
Donald's Family
Donald had one known child, a daughter named Bethoc. She married a man named Uchtred de Tyndale. Their daughter, Hextilda, married Richard Comyn. Years later, John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch claimed the Scottish crown through this family line, tracing back to Donald. There was also a person named Ladhmann, who died in 1116 and was called "grandson of the King of Scots." He might have been Donald's son.
Donald in Stories
In William Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth, there is a small character named Donalbain. This character represents Donald III.
