BattlefieldsEdgar Atheling Supports Malcolm III 1068
Early Medieval

Edgar Atheling Supports Malcolm III 1068

1068
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Edgar Atheling flees to Scotland · Malcolm III shelters English royal family
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Edgar Atheling's refugee party (diplomatic).
VS
Victor
Scotland (Malcolm III -- sheltered the refugee)
Forces
Scottish forces (Malcolm III) c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Edgar Atheling and English royal family received at Malcolm's court; Malcolm married Margaret
The Battle

History & Significance

Edgar Atheling, the last member of the old English royal house, fled to Scotland with his sisters including Margaret after a failed attempt to resist William the Conqueror. Malcolm III welcomed them and married Margaret -- the woman who would be canonised as Scotland's patron saint. The sheltering of the English refugees was a political act with long-term consequences: it gave Malcolm a claim to intervene in English affairs as protector of the old royal line, contributing to his later invasions of England.

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