Duncan II of Scotland - Interpretation

Interpretation

William Forbes Skene viewed the conflict between Donald III and Duncan II as being essentially a conflict between "the Celtic and the Saxon laws of succession". In other words, it was a conflict between tanistry and hereditary monarchy, Donald being the legitimate heir under the former, Duncan and his brothers under the latter. Donald probably derived his support from the Gaels of Scotland, who formed the majority of the population. His supporters would have had reason to feel threatened by the large number of Anglo-Saxons which had arrived in Scotland uder the reign of Malcolm III. The descendants of Malcolm were Anglo-Saxons "in all respects, excdpt that of birth". Their claim to power would be alarming at best to the Gaels.

Skene considered that two foreign rulers played their own part in the conflict. Magnus III of Norway and his fleet were campaigning at the Irish Sea, attempting to establish his authority over the Kingdom of the Isles. The lack of conflict between Donald III and Magnus III might point to an alliance between them. Magnus offering recognition of Donald's rights to the throne, while Donald would withdraw all Scottish claims to the area. Duncan himself was obviously supported by William II of England, who lent him "a numerous army of English and Normans".

The brief reign of Duncan II and his death at the hands of his own subjects, allude to his unpopularity. He was a usurper in the eyes of the Gaels. His half-brother Edgar, King of Scotland only managed to gain the throne due to the intervention of William II, his claims again opposed by most of the Gaels. The effects of Edgar's victory were significant, as Anglo-Saxon laws, institutions, and forms of government were adopted in the Kingdom of Scotland. All in "in imitation of the Ango-Saxon kingdoms", before David I (reigned 1124–1153) introduced Anglo-Norman institutions to the country.

The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature: From Columba to the Union, until 1707 includes a history of the Kingship by Benjamin Hudson. Hudson feels that Duncan II doomed his own reign by the "fatal move" of senting away his foreign troops, thus divesting himself of his own supporters. He feels that the male-line descendants of Malcolm III and Saint Margaret managed to hold to the throne until the 13th century, precisely because none of them made the same mistake. He points that Edgar succeeded in holding the throne for a decade, because he continued to depend on aid from his political patrons: William II and Henry I of England. The House of Normandy having resources far surpassing those of Donald III and his supporters.