Malcolm IV (1153 - 1165)

Both of David I's sons predeceased him and so the Scottish throne passed to his grandson, Malcolm, son of Earl Henry. Malcolm had a short life, he came to the throne at age eleven and was dead by the time he was 23. He is known as 'the Maiden' because, for some reason, he took a vow of celibacy. Although he never married, much to the annoyance of his mother, Ada De Warenne, it is possible that he fathered a bastard son. Like his predecessor Malcolm was deeply involved in church affairs, he founded the Abbey of Coupar Angus with monks from Melrose. He also endowed the monks of Dunfermline with land in South Queensferry. Away from religion he had to deal with revolts in Galloway, Argyll and Moray. Fergus of Galloway proved to be particularly intractable and it took Malcolm three separate expeditions to subdue him, Fergus then became a canon at Holyrood. The revolt in Argyll was led by Somerled, Lord of Argyll. By 1160 these revolts had been put down and the offenders were neutralised - Somerled had become a regular courtier with the nickname 'Sit-by-the-king'.

Monastic buildings at Dunfermline Abbey Malcolm IV was buried here

In 1154 the energetic Henry II came to the throne of England and Malcolm was careful to only do homage to Henry for his land in England, not for Scotland. Their relationship was strained at times but they managed to stay at peace. Although he died young malcolm showed good diplomatic skill with England and the throne passed without war to William.

History Books on this time period:

Author	Title	Published	Price	Order Now From:
Duncan, A. A. M.	The Edinburgh History of Scotland: Vol 1 The Making of the Kingdom	1975	£16.99	Amazon.co.uk
Scotland: the Making of the Kingdom is the first "straight" history of Scotland from pre-history to 1286 to be published since 1862. It starts with the evidence on pre-historic and Roman Scotland and covers in some detail the incursions and amalgamations of races who made up the Celtic Kingdom, the impact of the Vikings and the forging of a single kingdom. Professor Duncan looks at the Anglo-Norman influence on Scotland and gives a full account of Anglo-Scottish relations up to 1214. The growth of towns is discussed together with the expansion of trade and the place of Scottish evidence in the evolution of rural and urban society in north-west Europe. The closing chapters narrate the progress which made possible the establishment of an efficient and unoppressive administrative system.
Barrow, G. W. S.	Kingship & Unity: Scotland 1000-1306	1989	£9.95 or $16.50	Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Professor Barrow takes up the history of a Scotland which in the eleventh century already has the beginnings of a clear sense of identity, and a successful expansion policy. Emphasising in particular the kingdom's political growth and the evolution of a distinct Scottish nation, Professor Barrow narrates the story of Scotland's remarkable Medieval kings and their development of a kingship and the institutions of government which provided the unity and administration to fend off Edward I's onslaughts in the thirteenth century. This is a thoroughly readable and comprehensive account of the building of medieval Scotland, and a welcome reissue from the New History of Scotland series (formerly published by Edward Arnold).

Historical Fiction Books on Malcolm IV:

Author	Title	Published	Price	Order Now From:
Tranter, Nigel	Tapestry of the Boar		£5.99	Amazon.co.uk
12th century adventures in the time of Malcolm IV.