Biography of Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland 1045-1093

Paternal Family Tree: Wessex

Maternal Family Tree: Agatha

1068 Coronation of Queen Matilda

1093 Battle of Alnwick

In or before 1045 [her father] Edward "The Exile" Wessex (age 29) and [her mother] Agatha were married. He the son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England and Ealdgyth Unknown.

Around 1045 Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland was born to Edward "The Exile" Wessex (age 29) and Agatha.

Flowers of History 1057. 1057. Eadward king of England (age 54), being advanced in years, sent Aldred bishop of Worcester into Hungary, and recalled thence [her father] Eadward (age 41), son of king Eadmund his brother, with the intention of making him his successor. Eadward came accordingly, with his son [her brother] Eadgar (age 6) and his daughters Margaret (age 12) and [her sister] Christina, but died not long after his arrival in the city of London, leaving the king the charge of his son Eadgar and his daughters before mentioned.

On 19 Apr 1057 [her father] Edward "The Exile" Wessex (age 41) died.

On 16 Mar 1058 Lulach King Scotland died. [her future husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 26) succeeded III King Scotland.

Before 1060 [her future husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 28) and Ingibiorg Finnsdottir Queen Consort Scotland were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. He the son of Duncan "The Sick" I King Scotland and Bethóc Unknown Queen Consort Scotland.

Flowers of History. Before 25 Dec 1066. And as they all fled to [her future husband] Malcolm, king of Scotland (age 35), they were all honorably received by him. Then also, [her brother] Edgar Atheling (age 15), the legitimate heir of the kingdom of England, seeing his country plundered and disturbed on all sides, embarked on board ship with his mother [her mother] Agatha, and his sisters Margaret (age 21) and [her sister] Christina (age 9), and endeavoured to return into Hungary, where he had been born; but, a tempest arising, he was compelled to land on the coast of Scotland. And, in consequence of the occasion thus offered, it came to pass that Margaret (age 21) was given as a bride to King Malcolm (age 35), whose exemplary life and virtuous death are plainly set forth in a book specially composed on that subject. But his sister Christina (age 9) became a nun, and deserves our benediction as one who was married for ever to a heavenly bridegroom.

Flowers of History. Before 25 Dec 1066. Queen Margaret (age 21) had six sons and two daughters, three of whom, namely, [her son] Edgar, [her son] Alexander, and [her son] David, became kings, as they were entitled to by the nobility of their family, and through them the noble blood of the kings of England, who were expelled from their own proper territories by the Normans, devolved upon the kings of Scotland.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1067. This summer the child [her brother] Edgar (age 16) departed, with his mother [her mother] Agatha, and his two sisters, Margaret (age 22) and [her sister] Christina (age 10), and Merle-Sweyne, and many good men with them; and came to Scotland under the protection of [her future husband] King Malcolm (age 35), who entertained them all. Then began King Malcolm (age 35) to yearn after the child's sister, Margaret (age 22), to wife; but he and all his men long refused; and she also herself was averse, and said that she would neither have him nor any one else, if the Supreme Power would grant, that she in her maidenhood might please the mighty Lord with a carnal heart, in this short life, in pure continence. The king (age 35), however, earnestly urged her brother (age 16), until he answered Yea. And indeed he durst not otherwise; for they were come into his kingdom. So that then it was fulfilled, as God had long ere foreshowed; and else it could not be; as he himself saith in his gospel: that "not even a sparrow on the ground may fall, without his foreshowing." The prescient Creator wist long before what he of her would have done; for that she should increase the glory of God in this land, lead the king aright from the path of error, bend him and his people together to a better way, and suppress the bad customs which the nation formerly followed: all which she afterwards did. The king (age 35) therefore received her, though it was against her will, and was pleased with her manners, and thanked God, who in his might had given him such a match. He wisely bethought himself, as he was a prudent man, and turned himself to God, and renounced all impurity; accordingly, as the apostle Paul, the teacher of all the gentries, saith: "Salvabitur vir infidelis per mulierem fidelem; sic et mulier infidelis per virum fidelem," etc.: that is in our language, "Full oft the unbelieving husband is sanctified and healed through the believing wife, and so belike the wife through the believing husband." This queen (age 22) aforesaid performed afterwards many useful deeds in this land to the glory of God, and also in her royal estate she well conducted herself, as her nature was. Of a faithful and noble kin was she sprung. Her father was [her father] Edward Etheling, son of King Edmund. Edmund was the son of Ethelred; Ethelred the son of Edgar; Edgar the son of Edred; and so forth in that royal line: and her maternal kindred goeth to the Emperor Henry, who had the sovereignty over Rome. This year went out Githa, Harold's mother, and the wives of many good men with her, to the Flat-Holm, and there abode some time; and so departed thence over sea to St. Omer's.

Coronation of Queen Matilda

John of Worcester. 1068. After Easter [23rd March], the countess Matilda (age 37) came to England from Normandy, and was crowned queen by Aldred, archbishop of York, on Whitsunday [1lth May]. After this, Mariesweyn and Cospatric, and some of the most noble of the Northumbrian nation, in order to escape the king's tyranny, and fearing that, like others, they might be thrown into prison, took with them [her brother] Edgar (age 17) the etheling, with his mother [her mother] Agatha and his two sisters, Margaret (age 23) and [her sister] Christina (age 11), and, embarking for Scotland, wintered there under favour of [her future husband] Malcolm (age 36), king of Scots. Meanwhile, king William (age 40) marched his army to Nottingham [Map], and, having fortified the castle there, proceeded to York [Map], where he erected two strong forts, and having stationed in them five hundred men, he gave orders that strong castles should be built at Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] and other places.

Before 1070 Malcolm III King Scotland (age 38) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 24) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. He the son of Duncan "The Sick" I King Scotland and Bethóc Unknown Queen Consort Scotland.

Around 1070 [her son] Edmund Dunkeld was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 38) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 25).

Around 1074 [her son] Edgar "The Valiant" I King Scotland was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 42) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 29).

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1074. This year King William (age 46) went over sea to Normandy; and child [her brother] Edgar (age 23) came from Flanders into Scotland on St. Grimbald's mass-day; where [her husband] King Malcolm (age 42) and his sister Margaret (age 29) received him with much pomp. At the same time sent Philip, the King of France (age 21), a letter to him, bidding him to come to him, and he would give him the castle of Montreuil [Map]; that he might afterwards daily annoy his enemies. What then? King Malcolm (age 42) and his sister Margaret (age 29) gave him and his men great presents, and many treasures; in skins ornamented with purple, in pelisses made of martin-skins, of grey-skins, and of ermine-skins, in palls, and in vessels of gold and silver; and conducted him and his crew with great pomp from his territory. But in their voyage evil befel them; for when they were out at sea, there came upon them such rough weather, and the stormy sea and the strong wind drove them so violently on the shore, that all their ships burst, and they also themselves came with difficulty to the land. Their treasure was nearly all lost, and some of his men also were taken by the French; but he himself and his best men returned again to Scotland, some roughly travelling on foot, and some miserably mounted. Then King Malcolm (age 42) advised him to send to King William (age 46) over sea, to request his friendship, which he did; and the king gave it him, and sent after him. Again, therefore, King Malcolm (age 42) and his sister gave him and all his men numberless treasures, and again conducted him very magnificently from their territory. The sheriff of York came to meet him at Durham, and went all the way with him; ordering meat and fodder to be found for him at every castle to which they came, until they came over sea to the king. Then King William (age 46) received him with much pomp; and he was there afterwards in his court, enjoying such rights as he confirmed to him by law.

Around 1078 [her son] Alexander "Fierce" I King Scotland was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 46) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 33).

Around 1080 [her daughter] Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 48) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 35) at Dunfermline [Map].

In 1082 [her daughter] Mary Dunkeld Countess Boulogne was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 50) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 37).

Around 1084 [her son] King David I of Scotland was born to [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 52) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 39).

Around 1087 [her son-in-law] Eustace Flanders III Count Boulogne and [her daughter] Mary Dunkeld Countess Boulogne (age 5) were married. She the daughter of Malcolm III King Scotland (age 55) and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 42). He the son of Eustace Flanders II Count Boulogne (age 72) and Ida Ardennes Countess Boulogne.

Around 1093 [her son] Ethelred Dunkeld died.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1093. In this year, during Lent, was the King William (age 37) at Glocester so sick, that he was by all reported dead. And in his illness he made many good promises to lead his own life aright; to grant peace and protection to the churches of God, and never more again with fee to sell; to have none but righteous laws amongst his people. The archbishopric of Canterbury, that before remained in his own hand, he transferred to Anselm (age 60), who was before Abbot of Bec; to Robert his chancellor the bishopric of Lincoln; and to many minsters he gave land; but that he afterwards took away, when he was better, and annulled all the good laws that he promised us before. Then after this sent the King of Scotland, and demanded the fulfilment of the treaty that was promised him. And the King William (age 37) cited him to Glocester, and sent him hostages to Scotland; and [her brother] Edgar Etheling (age 42), afterwards, and the men returned, that brought him with great dignity to the king (age 37). But when he came to the king (age 37), he could not be considered worthy either of our king's (age 37) speech, or of the conditions that were formerly promised him. For this reason therefore they parted with great dissatisfaction, and the [her husband] King Malcolm (age 61) returned to Scotland. And soon after he came home, he gathered his army, and came harrowing into England with more hostility than behoved him; and Robert, the Earl of Northumberland, surrounded him unawares with his men, and slew him. Morel of Barnborough slew him, who was the earl's steward, and a baptismal friend115 of King Malcolm (age 61). With him was also slain Edward his son; who after him should have been king (age 37), if he had lived. When the good Queen Margaret (age 48) heard this-her most beloved lord and son thus betrayed she was in her mind almost distracted to death. She with her priests went to church, and performed her rites, and prayed before God, that she might give up the ghost. And the Scots then chose116 Dufenal to king, Malcolm's brother, and drove out all the English that formerly were with the King Malcolm (age 61). When Duncan, King Malcolm's (age 61) son, heard all that had thus taken place (he was then in the King William's (age 37) court, because his father had given him as a hostage to our king's (age 37) father, and so he lived here afterwards), he came to the king (age 37), and did such fealty as the king (age 37) required at his hands; and so with his permission went to Scotland, with all the support that he could get of English and French, and deprived his uncle Dufenal of the kingdom, and was received as king. But the Scots afterwards gathered some force together, and slew full nigh all his men; and he himself with a few made his escape.117 Afterwards they were reconciled, on the condition that he never again brought into the land English or French.

Note 115. Literally a "gossip"; but such are the changes which words undergo in their meaning as well as in their form, that a title of honour formerly implying a spiritual relationship in God, is now applied only to those whose conversation resembles the contemptible tittle-tattle of a Christening.

Note 116. From this expression it is evident, that though preference was naturally and properly given to hereditary claims, the monarchy of Scotland, as well as of England, was in principle "elective". The doctrine of hereditary, of divine, of indefeasible "right", is of modern growth.

Battle of Alnwick

On 13 Nov 1093 the Battle of Alnwick was fought at Alnwick, Northumberland [Map] between the forces of [her husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (age 62) and Robert de Mowbray 1st Earl Northumbria.

Malcolm III King Scotland (age 62) was killed at The Peth Alnwick [Map]. His son [her step-son] Duncan II King Scotland (age 33) succeeded II King Scotland. He died a year minus day later.

Malcolm's son [her son] Edward Dunkeld was killed.

Duncan II King Scotland: Around 1060 he was born to Malcolm III King Scotland and Ingibiorg Finnsdottir Queen Consort Scotland. On 12 Nov 1094 Duncan II King Scotland died. His uncle Donald "The Fair White" III King Scotland succeeded III King Scotland.

Edward Dunkeld: he was born to Malcolm III King Scotland and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland. On 16 Nov 1093 Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland died three days after her husband Malcolm III King Scotland and her son Edward Dunkeld were killed at the Battle of Alnwick.

On 16 Nov 1093 Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland (age 48) died three days after her husband [her former husband] Malcolm III King Scotland (deceased) and her son [her son] Edward Dunkeld were killed at the Battle of Alnwick.

On 05 Aug 1103 William Adelin Normandy Duke Normandy was born to King Henry I "Beauclerc" England (age 35) and [her daughter] Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England (age 23). The name Adelin an Anglo-Saxon term meaning Noble, or Prince, reflecting his mother's descent from the House of Wessex (her mother was Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland ).

[her son] Ethelred Dunkeld was born to Malcolm III King Scotland and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland.

[her son] Edward Dunkeld was born to Malcolm III King Scotland and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland.

Royal Ancestors of Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland 1045-1093

Kings Wessex: Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Royal Descendants of Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland 1045-1093

Agnes La Marck Queen Consort Navarre x 4

Edgar "The Valiant" I King Scotland x 1

Alexander "Fierce" I King Scotland x 1

Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England x 1

King David I of Scotland x 1

Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal x 1

Blanche Capet Queen Navarre x 1

Maria Reginar Queen Consort France x 1

Joan of Burgundy Queen Consort France x 1

Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France x 1

Philip "Noble" III King Navarre x 1

Joan Évreux Queen Consort France x 1

Margaret Hainault Holy Roman Empress x 1

Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England x 1

Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg x 1

Blanche Dampierre Queen Consort Norway and Sweden x 1

Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France x 1

Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France x 2

Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile x 2

King Louis of Naples x 1

Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford x 1

Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England x 1

Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland x 4

Charlotte Savoy Queen Consort France x 2

Christina Queen Consort Denmark Norway and Sweden x 1

Louis XII King France x 4

Jean III King Navarre x 1

Bianca Maria Sforza Holy Roman Empress x 2

Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile x 6

Germaine Foix Queen Consort Aragon x 4

Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre x 6

King Francis I of France x 6

Anne Jagiellon Holy Roman Empress x 1

Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England x 7

Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland x 14

Antoine King Navarre x 6

Louis VI Elector Palatine x 4

Louise Lorraine Queen Consort France x 11

Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria x 17

Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress x 17

Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine x 4

Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor x 4

Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain x 4

Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress x 1

Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia x 5

Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia x 4

Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal x 18

Victor Amadeus King Sardinia x 21

Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain x 7

Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor x 7

Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor x 7

Francis I Holy Roman Emperor x 13

Elisabeth Therese Lorraine Queen Consort Sardinia x 13

King George III of Great Britain and Ireland x 9

Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway x 9

Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England x 9

King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark x 18

Caroline Amalie Oldenburg Queen Norway x 2

Frederick VII King Denmark x 27

Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark x 18

King Christian IX of Denmark x 3

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom x 18

Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway x 10

Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia x 54

King Edward VII of the United Kingdom x 54

Frederick Charles I King Finland x 18

Constantine I King Greece x 1

Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark x 28

Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain x 54

Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden x 54

Ingrid Bernadotte Queen Consort Denmark x 54

Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh x 55

Sophia Glücksburg Queen Consort Spain x 2

Constantine II King Hellenes x 2

Carl XVI King Sweden x 113

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 12

Ancestors of Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland 1045-1093

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edmund I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edgar "Peaceful" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury Queen Consort England

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Æthelred "Unready" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ordgar Earldorman Devon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Aelfthryth Queen Consort England

GrandFather: King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thored Northumbria

Great x 1 Grandmother: Aelfgifu of York Queen Consort England

Father: Edward "The Exile" Wessex

GrandMother: Ealdgyth Unknown

Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland

Mother: Agatha