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 Margaret
of Scotland was a truly liberated woman in the sense that she was free to be
herself. For her, that meant freedom to love God and serve others.
Margaret was not Scottish by birth. She was the daughter of Princess Agatha
of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward Atheling. She spent much of her
youth in the court of her great- uncle, the English king, Edward the
Confessor. Her family fled from William the Conqueror and was shipwrecked
off the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm befriended them and was captivated
by the beautiful, gracious Margaret. They were married at the castle of
Dunfermline in 1070.
Malcolm was good-hearted, but rough and uncultured, as was his country.
Because of Malcolms love for Margaret, she was able to soften his temper,
polish his manners and help him become a virtuous king. He left all domestic
affairs to her and often consulted her in state matters.
Margaret tried to improve her adopted country by promoting the arts and
education. For religious reform, she instigated synods and was present for
the discussions which tried to correct religious abuses common among priests
and people, such as simony, usury and incestuous marriages. With her
husband, she founded several churches.
Margaret was not only a queen, but a mother. She and Malcolm had six sons
and two daughters. Margaret personally supervised their religious
instruction and their other studies.
Although she was very much caught up in the affairs of the household and
country, she remained detached from the world. Her private life was austere.
She had certain times for prayer and reading Scripture. She ate sparingly
and slept little in order to have time for devotions. She and Malcolm kept
two Lents, one before Easter and one before Christmas. During these times
she always rose at midnight for Mass. On the way home she would wash the
feet of six poor persons and give them alms. She was always surrounded by
beggars in public and never refused them. It is recorded that she never sat
down to eat without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults.
In 1093, King William Rufus made a surprise attack on Alnwick castle. King
Malcolm and his oldest son, Edward, were killed. Margaret, already on her
deathbed, died four days after her husband.
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