Overview of King David I

Scottish monarch. David was the youngest son of King Malcolm III (c.1031 - 1093) and his Queen, St. Margaret (1045 - 1093). His elder brother was King Edgar (c.1074 - 1107) and David succeeded another brother of King Alexander I (c.1077 - 1124) to the throne. David and his sister, Maude, had been sent to the English court when he was just nine for their protection and as a sign of goodwill. David was created Earl of Huntingdon by the English King Henry I. When Alexander I died, David returned to Scotland surrounded by his knights, including Balliol, Bruce, Fitzallan and Maule, several of whom became the nobility and even Kings of Scotland.

He was noted as the builder of castles and abbeys, and for the introduction of the royal burghs. He promoted feudalism on the Norman model, having seen this in operation during his time in England.

David died leaving a peaceful and successful country, and is buried in Dunfermline Abbey.