King Duncan II, Clan Duncan Society

King Duncan the 2nd of Scotland (r. 1094)

Duncan II was the eldest son of Malcolm III and Ingibjorg and became King after defeating Donald III with Norman/English help. Duncan (born abut 1060) was sent to England in 1072 as a hostage for the good behaviour of his father.

Seal of Duncan II Scotland

Seal of Duncan II

He was very lucky not to have been executed by William the Conqueror in reprisal for his father's invasion of northern England in 1079. Instead, William contented himself with building a new castle on the Tyne and continuing to hold Duncan prisoner. Duncan did not get back to Scotland until 1094, when he overthrew his uncle, Donald Bane, with the aid of an English and French army.

King Duncan II Scotland 1094

By then, however, he had become much more English than Scottish, which did not commend him to the Celtic chieftains. He was killed some time in 1094 by the mormaer (high steward) of Mearns, one of Scotland's most unruly provinces at the Battle of Monthechin, near Kincardine. The oldest surviving Scottish royal charter dates from his brief reign.

by John A. Duncan of Sketraw, KCN, FSA Scot.

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