| Malcolm V | |
|---|---|
| |
| Malcolm V | |
| Reign | 5th March, 1199-22nd January, 1214 |
| Predecessor | Alexander II |
| Successor | David II |
| Spouse | Margaret of Stirling |
| Issue | |
| David II Alexander III | |
| House | Dunkeld |
| Father | Kenneth, Duke of Glasgow |
| Mother | Anna ingen Causantin |
| Born | 1177 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 17th November 1217 Ulster |
Malcolm V ruled as King of Scots during the early 13th Century and his reign is considered to be a failure. Despite his popularity with the Scottish people, his political undertakings partially resulted in the beginning of the Long Scottish War.
Malcolm was born to Kenneth, Duke of Glasgow and Anna, daughter of King Constantine IV. As Constantine IV failed to produce a male heir both he and Constantine's half-brother Alexander began to vie for the succession. Both were well supported by other nobles and on Constantine's death in 1199 Alexander seized the throne. Malcolm began making plans to oust his rival but in the end Alexander's reign was short.
Alexander's health had deteriorated and without any heirs to succeed, he reluctantly declared Malcolm the new heir. He died shortly after and Malcolm V received the throne with no blood shed. He would begin his reign by focusing on Scotland's usual enemy of this period: Hordaland. Haakon V had focused his own foreign policies on Scotland to boost the Earldom of Orkney as a viable rival to Scottish power. The rising tension persisted into the 13th Century and both monarchs refused a church-backed peace deal. Malcolm, feeling threatened by the Orcadian and Hordalandic armies on his doorstep, declared war. He moved north, gathering more men under his banner and fight off the threat. The ensuing battle proved to be a Scottish Victory with Haakon's father, Earl Harald Maddadsson, paying tribute to the King, though this was short-lived.
With the danger from the north momentarily dealt with, the victorious Scottish King would spend the next several years in peace, improving the state of the Scottish economy as well as starting the resurgence of Scottish power. Despite this peaceful period, Malcolm kept an eye on his southern border; Anglia fell into civil war in 1208 between the forces of Harold III and his brother Charles. Charles had driven the powerful Magnusson family out from Northumbria, weakening the defenses there and restarting claims on lands along the borders. The Magnussons had at least been on cordial terms with the Scottish court and Charles' growing power and willingness to throw his weight around, led to deep unease. Sensing the right moment to strike had already passed, but knowing Charles was on the continent, Malcolm ordered an invasion of Anglia in the autumn of 1212.
The Scottish armies made good progress, taking Jorvik in May 1213 but were routed by Charles at Leeds in June. Harold had died and Charles was now leading a united Anglia. All Malcolm's gains were quickly lost and Charles did not stop at the border, following the retreating Scots to a a decisive battle at Stirling which left the Scottish Kingdom in a completely precarious position compared to a decade prior. Charles hastily dealt with the aftermath, outlawing and exiling Malcolm from his Kingdom.
Malcolm was exiled to Eire alongside his family where he would be warmly welcomed into the Ulster court. For the rest of his life, he would remotely support his former subordinates in Scotland as they revolted against Anglia which now ruled over the entire kingdom. Malcolm never reclaimed his kingdom as he died on November of 1217. 3 years after his death, his son David returned to Scotland and reestablished the kingdom's sovereignty.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
