The Death of King Duncan II of Scotland

Duncan II (Donnchad mac Maíl Coluim) was born around 1060 and died on November 12th, 1094. He was the King of Scotland for only about 7 months, taking rule in the spring of 1094. Duncan was the oldest son of Malcolm III and his first wife, Ingibjörg, former wife of the Earl of Orkney. Their other two children were Donald (Domnall) and Malcolm (Máel Coluim). The marriage of Malcolm and Ingibjörg helped to solidify peace with the Norse rulers in the northern territories of Scotland. It’s believed that Ingibjörg died around 1069 and Malcom married Margaret of Wessex, an English princess, in 1070. They had eight children, three of whom would later become King of Scotland.

The Treaty of Abernethy was signed in 1072 between Malcolm III and William the Conqueror, recognizing William II as feudal overlord, but most other terms are unknown. Duncan was offered as a hostage in England and released by King William II in 1087.

On November 13th, 1093, Malcolm was ambushed near Alnwick, England, by Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumbria, for devastation of his lands. It was there that he was killed by Arkil Morel, steward of Bamburgh Castle.

While Duncan would be next in line for the Scottish throne, an uncle - Donald - didn’t exactly agree with that plan. Donald took the crown, ruling as Donald III, but failed to gain wide support in the Lowlands.

By the spring of 1094, an English and Norman army under Duncan, entered Scotland and deposed his uncle. Duncan was crowned king at Scone. The Norman presence caused a lot of tension and eventually Duncan sent them back to William, as a condition to keep the throne.

Meanwhile, his uncle Donald was gaining political support and building an army. On November 12th, 1094, he confronted Duncan, who was ambushed and killed. The manner of his death is uncertain, but near all accounts point back to his uncle Donald as the facilitator.

Donald III assumed the throne of Scotland, jointly ruling with his nephew, Edmund. His rule lasted until 1097, when they were deposed by his other nephew, Edgar.

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