Malcolm III, 'Canmore' king of Scotland 1058-93

d.1093

Malcolm was the son of Duncan I who was killed by Macbeth in 1040. He found safehaven in Northumbria and the support of its ruler Earl Siward, who led an army against Macbeth in 1054. Siward and Malcolm defeated Macbeth at the battle of Dunsinnan but although Malcolm's lands were restored to him, he did not dislodge Macbeth from the throne.

It wasn't until three years later, on 15 August 1057 at the battle of Lumphanan, that Malcolm again defeated Macbeth. But it was Lulach, Macbeth's stepson and cousin who became king. After less than four months however, Malcolm had Lulach killed and replaced him on the Scottish throne. He submitted to William I, king of England in 1072. In 1078 he defeated Lulach's son Mael Snechta.

His oath to William didn't prevent him from raiding Northumbria on a regular basis and it was while on such a raid, in August 1093, that he laid the foundation stone of Durham cathedral. He was killed two months later while raiding the border town of Alnwick.

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