David I

David I was Prince of the Cumbrians from 1113 to 1124 and King of Scotland from 1124 until his death on 24 May 1153. A younger son of Malcolm III and Margaret of Wessex, he spent time at the court of Henry I of England, secured his Scottish kingship after conflict with a rival nephew, and later supported Empress Matilda in the English succession dispute. His reign is associated with major changes in Scottish government, settlement, markets, and religious life.

David I, also called Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim, was a 12th-century ruler. The supplied life dates give his birth as 31 December 1080, although the original notes describe his birth as about 1084. He was the youngest son of Malcolm III and Margaret of Wessex.

David spent most of his childhood in Scotland. In 1093, he was temporarily exiled to England. Perhaps after 1100, he became dependent on the court of King Henry I of England, where he was influenced by the court's Anglo-French culture.

David was Prince of the Cumbrians from 1113 to 1124. 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 struggle to subdue Máel Coluim appears to have lasted about ten years and involved the destruction of Óengus, Mormaer of Moray. David's victory enabled him to extend control over more distant regions that were theoretically part of his kingdom.

After the death of Henry I, David supported Henry's daughter, Empress Matilda, who was also David's niece, in her claim to the English throne. This brought David 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.

David remained King of Scotland until his death on 24 May 1153. He is recognized as a saint of the Catholic Church, where his feast day is observed on 24 May.

Historical context

Many scholars use the term “Davidian Revolution” for changes associated with David's reign in Scotland. The original notes attribute to this period the foundation of burghs and regional markets, the implementation of ideals of Gregorian Reform, the foundation of monasteries, the Normanisation of Scottish government, and the introduction of feudalism through immigrant French and Anglo-French knights.

Sources & research

Original Family Tree Maker notes for David I, including citations [1], [2], and [3]. Bibliographic details for these citations were not supplied.