Donald III

Nicknamed Donald the Fair, Donald III was the younger brother of Malcolm III.

Quick Facts:
Born:  1032
Died:  1099, Angus, Scotland
Reign:  1093-1094 the first time, and then 1094-1097
Parents: Duncan I and Suthen
Predecessor:  Malcolm III
Successor:  Duncan II and then Edgar
Royal House:  Dunkeld

Donald was born during the reign of King Malcolm II, his great grandfather and was the second son of King Duncan. He was just a baby when his father became Duncan I, and as a child was forced to flee the country alongside his mother and older brother, when his father died and Macbeth was crowned. 

Donald was in hiding for around 17 years and was believed to have spent some of this time in Ireland, where he lived in fear of being murdered by supporters of Macbeth. His elder brother, whose whereabouts were unknown for some time, went to England, where he was married and gained the support of the English monarchs, enabling him to return to Scotland and overthrow both Macbeth and his stepson.

Donald was just 25 when his brother Malcolm was crowned.

The not so heir apparent

Though Donald succeeded the throne from his brother Malcolm, this was not believed to have been Malcolm’s intention. The heir apparent was named as Edward, Malcolm’s oldest son by Margaret of Wessex, though his untimely death in the battle that killed his father, did cause a power vacuum which allowed Donald to invade the kingdom. He laid siege at Edinburgh, where Margaret and Malcolm’s younger sons were living, defeating what was left of the army and claiming the throne. He banished his nephews and removed the English from court.

First reign

Just a year after taking the throne, Donald’s nephews, Duncan, the son of Malcolm and his first wife, and Edgar, the son of Malcolm and Margaret, invaded. They successfully usurped the throne and Duncan became king, however he was murdered later that year on Donald’s orders.

Donald resumed power, but with his nephew Edmund, another of Malcolm’s sons, as his heir. Donald was in his early sixties and had no sons of his own. It is believed that Edmund bargained for control of half the country in exchange for his support. However his brothers, Edgar and David, with the support of William Rufus of England had their own plans. Edgar led an army into Scotland and David supposedly blinded and imprisoned Donald, securing the throne for his brother. Donald was said to have died aged 97 in prison.

Read Less