Edmund of Scotland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edmund of Scotland |
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|---|---|
| Born | c. 1070 |
| Died | after 1097 |
| House | Dunkeld |
| Father | Malcolm III of Scotland |
| Mother | Margaret of Wessex |
Edmund (born around 1070, died after 1097) was a son of Malcolm III of Scotland, who was a king, and his second wife, Margaret of Wessex. You might see Edmund's name on some lists of Scottish kings. However, there is no clear proof that he ever ruled as king.
Edmund was likely the second son of Malcolm and Margaret. But he was not chosen to be king after his father. This was because he betrayed his brothers and sided with their uncle, Donald III.
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A Time of Trouble: Who Would Be King?
When Edmund's father, King Malcolm III, died in November 1093, his oldest son Edward also died. After this, Edmund's uncle, Donald III, took the throne of Scotland.
Edmund and his younger brothers, Edgar, Alexander, and David, had to leave Scotland. They went to England to join their half-brother, Duncan, at the court of King William Rufus.
Duncan's Short Rule
In 1094, Duncan decided to take back the throne. King William Rufus of England supported him. Duncan also had help from nobles in England and landowners in Lothian (a part of Scotland). With their help, Duncan managed to remove Donald III from the throne.
It is thought that Edmund, being the next oldest brother, was expected to be Duncan's heir (the next in line to the throne). But Duncan's rule did not last long. A rebellion forced him to send his English allies home. Soon after, Duncan was killed.
The person who killed Duncan was Máel Petair, a powerful Scottish leader. But old records, like the Annals of Ulster, say that Donald III and Edmund ordered the killing.
Why Edmund Joined Donald
We don't know for sure why Edmund decided to join his uncle Donald. People believe that Donald made Edmund his heir because Donald had no sons of his own. It is also thought that Edmund was given a special area to rule, called an appanage.
The End of Edmund's Story
In 1097, Edmund's uncle, Edgar Ætheling, came north to Scotland. He removed Donald III from the throne. Then, Edmund's younger brother, Edgar, became the new king. Alexander was named as Edgar's heir.
Edmund was sent to a Cluniac monastery (a type of religious house) at Montacute in Somerset, England. He had his head shaved, which was a sign of joining the monastery. The exact date of his death is not known.
