Born
around the year 1046, Margaret was a pious and virtuous English
princess of the House of Essex. She and her family fled north to the
court of the Scottish King Malcolm Canmore to take refuge from William
the Conqueror. Malcolm was captivated by Margaret’s goodness and beauty,
and in the year 1070, they were married at the castle of Dunfermline.
A
veritable blessing for the people of Scotland, Margaret brought
civilization, culture and education to the rough Scots. She benefited
her adopted country both academically and spiritually by obtaining good
priests and educators for her people. She softened her husband’s temper,
cultivated his manners, and helped King Malcolm to become known
throughout the land as one of the most virtuous kings of Scotland.
Margaret
bore Malcolm six sons and two daughters and reared them with utmost
attention to their Christian faith. One of her daughters later married
Henry I of England and three of her sons occupied the Scottish throne.
Margaret lived a most austere life, giving herself mostly to God by
fasting often, denying herself sleep and praying for long periods of
time, the king often sharing in her prayers.
In 1093, King
William Rufus of England attacked Scotland, and Malcolm was killed in
battle. Margaret, already on her deathbed, died four days later. She was
buried in the Abbey of Dunfermline, one of the many churches she and
her husband had founded. Canonized in 1250, she was named patroness of
Scotland in 1673.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
St. Margaret of Scotland
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