Moray rebelled in 1110, and the covetous King Rayner I of England declared war on Scotland in 1111. William didn't have long to wait for his second taste of life as the king, but the start of his new reign was troubled. Duncan's prize was four more years on the throne, until he died a natural death aged 52 whilst campaigning in France.

Duncan's enemies were punished, but not his errant son or grandson, both of whom later had a second chance at kingship. Within six weeks Duncan's relentless siege was a success and he proclaimed himself king once more. William's supporters saw the writing on the wall by 1105, and as Duncan was besieging his son William they stripped William of the title and passed the kingdom to William's son Donald (Duncan's grandson), who was only eight years old at the time. By 1103 it was time to pounce, and Duncan launched his claim to regain the throne. He also served as his son's Marshal, leading the Scottish armies, and giving him plenty of time to plot his revenge. Biding his time, Duncan now styled himself the Duke of Albany and consoled himself with the idea that at least he still had his head. By 1098 Duncan had defeated the rebellious Lothian, but the kingdom was wrested from him and passed to his 23-year-old son, William. Immediately upon taking the throne in 1096, Duncan was excommunicated by the Pope, thereby paving the way for the Duke of Lothian to rebel against Duncan's all-too-new rule. King Duncan II 'the Cruel' (r.1096-98, 1105-09)ĭuncan's reign illustrated how messy Scottish politics could be in the Middle Ages.

the inn he was staying in had been booby-trapped with a pungent, fermenting cesspit that was set off with a spark, causing a mighty king-despatching conflagration. Later that year he died aged 57 in 'a suspicious explosion', i.e. But his downfall came when he claimed and invaded Galloway in 1096.

He added Innse Gall, Argyll and Carrick to the kingdom, and created the title of Duke of Albany to bolster his credentials. In his 30-year reign Malcolm avoided war with powerful neighbours and instead concentrated on methodical expansion of the borders of the rump Scottish kingdom.

Crusader kings 2 scotland