• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Truly Edinburgh

Visitor Guide & Content Hub

  • Home
  • Site Index
  • Edinburgh
  • Whisky
  • Blog
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
  • History
    • Early Kings and Queens
    • Castles of Scotland
    • Famous Scots in History
  • Accommodation
Home » Early monarchs in Scotland » King Donald III and King Edmund (r. 1093-1097)

King Donald III and King Edmund (r. 1093-1097)

Donald III (Domnall Bán Donalbane), brother of the murdered Malcolm III, was twice King of Scotland between 1093 and 1097.


In 1094, Donald was deposed by his nephew Duncan II who, regarded as an English vassal, had little support,

He only lasted around six months before being murdered by the Mormaer of the Mearns almost certainly on the orders of Donald.

  • King Constantine II (r. 900-943)King Constantine III (r. 995-997)

It seems that Edmund was then given a share of the kingdom, perhaps in anticipation that if Donald had no son, Edmund would succeed in his own right.

Dunkeld Cathedral
Dunkeld Cathedral today

However, both were deposed when in 1097 Edgar the fourth son of Malcolm and Margaret, with the support of William II of England, came north with an army.

There are differing stories about Donald’s death.  William of Malmesbury said he was killed by David (later David I).

However the Scottish king-list, documents that he was captured and blinded by King Edgar in Rescobie, Angus.

Annals of Tigernach

A.A. Duncan notes in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography an entry in the Annals of Tigernach which said he was blinded in 1099, probably the date of his death.  Also that he was first buried in Dunkeld but that “Iona holds his bones.”

Although the name of Donald’s wife is unknown he had a daughter Bethóc, from whom John Comyn of Badenoch (d. 1302) derived his claim to the throne in 1291.

Donald III was succeeded by King Edgar.


The British Royal Family – more information

If your interest in British royalty goes beyond Scotland’s earliest kings and queens, see the official British Monarchy website for lots of additional information.

PEOPLE AND PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF SCOTLAND

Huntingtower Castle: The House of Ruthven

Read moreHuntingtower Castle: The House of Ruthven
Dunfermline Abbey

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

Read moreDunfermline Abbey and Palace
Dunkeld Cathedral

Dunkeld Cathedral: a cathedral in Scotland

Read moreDunkeld Cathedral: a cathedral in Scotland

Sidebar

Things to do in Edinburgh

Things to do in Edinburgh

Truly Edinburgh Whisky Page

whisky in Edinburgh

Scotland’s History

outside Edinburgh attractions
  • Home
  • Site Index
  • Blog
  • Edinburgh
  • Whisky
  • About
    • Privacy
    • Contact
  • History
    • Castles of Scotland
    • Early Kings and Queens
  • Accommodation
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2023· Truly Edinburgh · All Rights Reserved