David I

David I, also known as Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim, was the youngest son of Malcolm III and Margaret of Wessex. The supplied life dates give his birth as 31 December 1080, although the family-tree notes describe him as born about 1084. He spent most of his childhood in Scotland, but was temporarily exiled to England in 1093.

Perhaps after 1100, David became a dependent at the court of King Henry I of England. There he was influenced by the court's Anglo-French culture. From 1113 until 1124, he held the position of Prince of the Cumbrians.

When his brother Alexander I died in 1124, David took the Kingdom of Scotland, or Alba, with the backing of Henry I. His claim was challenged by his nephew and rival, Máel Coluim mac Alaxandair. The resulting warfare appears to have lasted about ten years and included the destruction of Óengus, Mormaer of Moray. David's victory enabled the expansion of royal control into more distant regions that were theoretically part of his kingdom.

After the death of Henry I, David supported the claim of Henry's daughter, Empress Matilda, who was also David's niece, to the English throne. This brought him into conflict with King Stephen. Although David was defeated at the Battle of the Standard in 1138, he was able to expand his power in northern England.

Scholars use the term “Davidian Revolution” to summarize changes in Scotland during David's reign. These changes included the foundation of burghs and regional markets, the implementation of ideals associated with Gregorian Reform, the foundation of monasteries, the Normanisation of Scottish government, and the introduction of feudalism through immigrant French and Anglo-French knights.

David died on 24 May 1153. The supplied notes state that David I is recognized as a saint of the Catholic Church and that his feast day is celebrated on 24 May.