St Margaret of Scotland (November 16) was canonised in 1250 and her remains were moved to Dunfermline Abbey

The saint who promoted charity, 

culture and religious reform

By ED WEST

Margaret had grown up in a turbulent period for England. Her father, Edward the Exile, was sent away in 1016 after his father, Edmund Ironside, was killed and the country fell under the rule of the Danes (although, in this case, Christian). Edward grew up in Sweden and in Hungary. He married Agatha (of whom little is known), and his children, Margaret, Cristina and Edgar the Atheling, were raised in the pious environment of the Hungarian court, where King Andrew “the Catholic” had a big influence on her.

Her father returned to England in 1057 where he died almost immediately, thereby changing the course of history. Had he survived, William the Conqueror would not have had any claim to invade, while his son Edgar was too young. After escaping the Conqueror’s clutches Edgar, along with his sisters and mother Agatha, fled to Northumbria.

While attempting to flee back to the continent a storm sent them to Scotland, where Malcolm III gave them protection. Malcolm, a widower who already had three sons and is best remembered as Macbeth’s killer, had another eight children with Margaret after they married.

The pious Hungarian-born Anglo-Saxon had a cultivating influence on the northern kingdom, introducing religious reform. She also promoted charity, serving orphans before every meal and washing the feet of the poor. In addition, she establishing a monastery in Dunfermline and restored one at Iona.

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