Written by Karen Zach
When I queried my hubs about something to write about in a genealogy blog, he didn’t hesitate – write about all the strong women you have in your ancestry. Love that guy, he’s always one step ahead of me and I loved the idea, too!
So many to choose from, though, but I decided to take the one of whom I am the proudest, Saint Margaret Atheling of Scotland, wife of Malcolm III. When I discovered my Kings and Queens, I was pretty excited, finding 54 well-documented ones within a few days. It was Saint Margaret however that thrilled me so.
Many see Margaret as a native Scotswoman; however, she was born in Hungary (8 Sept 1045), the daughter of Princess Agatha of Hungary and Prince Edward of Atheling. However, she did grow-up partially in England. Much of her youth, in fact, was spent near her great uncle, King Edward, the Confessor and in his court, culturing herself to become one fine lady.
Prior to her birth, William the Conqueror was doing just that, taking over the continent bit by bit by force and was doing so before, during and after. Thus, she, her mother and brother fled toward North Bridge but shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland. Malcolm aided Margaret and her family (mother, sister, and brother, Edgar). From that day on, he remained completely enthralled with this gracious, kind and beautiful lady. At age 25, Margaret married the King of Scotland at his Dunfermline Castle.
Although a kind man, especially to friends and family, Malcolm was brutal on the battlefield and extremely uncultured, reflecting his country’s culture at the time. Margaret was his perfect mate (2nd wife) and he let her work on and accomplish softening his temper, polishing his courtly manners and helping him become an overall more impressive king with high character.
Margaret was extremely intelligent and owned an amazing thought process; thus, Malcolm would often consult her on state affairs. The improvements this couple made on the domestic side of their country included introducing more arts and education reform; yet, the biggest love the new Queen encouraged was religion. She met with priests and layman (even embroidering their garments and altar cloths herself) always prompting them to never let religious abuses be tolerated. Many new churches were built by the couple, as well. Her comment, “Civilization and bettering people just brings warmth to my heart,” tells it all.
Famous for her philanthropy, she was constantly giving to the poor, known for her midnight Mass ventures and washing the feet of the unfortunate. She loaded her pockets with alms, giving them out like candy to beggars on her way to and from Mass or to any gatherings near her courtyard. It was recorded that her own (always skimpy for herself) meals were never eaten until after she saw to the feeding of multiple orphans and adults. Margaret became a saint due to her compassionate ways with the poor, nursing and feeding them with her own hand. Both she and Malcolm served the poor on their knees during Advent and Lent.
Not only an amazing Queen, she was a loving mother as well, not leaving the education or religion instruction of her six sons and two daughters to anyone but herself. She had specific times for prayer and reading Scripture. Often, she fasted and slept little in order to have time for devotions and helping of those in need.
The royal couple was extremely in love and had admiration for each other, as well. He was very much in awe of Margaret and her great devotion and love for Jesus Christ. He was 14 years older than she although some sources have it the other way around, which really couldn’t be since he had older children from his first wife.
By 1092, the peace that Scotland had enjoyed broke down and Malcolm and their oldest son, Edward went off to fight. While marching north, they were ambushed by the Earl of Northumbria on November 13th, 1093. This became known as the Battle of Alnwick and Malcolm was mortally wounded, as was their son Edward who had been slated as the future king. When the news was taken home to Margaret, she took to her bed and was dead within a few days from sorrow (it was said at the time and is not disputed yet today).
On June 19th in 1250, Margaret was canonized by Pope Innocent IV. “Tradition has it that as the reliquary was carried to the high altar of Dunfermline Abbey that day, past Malcolm’s grave, it became so heavy” that they had to sit it down and when they disinterred Malcolm’s remains and added next to Margaret’s altar, then all was well. Close in life and death!
For sure, I descend from one strong, amazing, religious, beautiful woman – inside and out! I always remember her on her Feast Day of November 16 and many days in between!
Sources: “Saint ID304” Catholic.org; “Saint Margaret of Scotland,” franciscanmedia.org; “Malcolm III of Scotland,” Wikipedia.org.
Photo from: Wikipedia – Malcolm greeting Margaret and her mother
