With the view of securing the crown to his daugh ter Matilda, in defect of his own issue male, the king of England engaged the king of Scots,•the English clergy and nobility, with Stephen Earl of Montainge and Bretagne, to guarantee this settlement. By this engagement, David was involved in protracted nego tiations, which eventually entailed war upon both kingdoms.
Angus, Earl of Moray attempted again to overturn the government. In suppressing this insurrection, David was assisted by Walter L'Espee. The insurg ents were defeated at Strickathro' in Forfarshire.
The death of Henry of England was the signal for a civil war in that kingdom. Stephen seized the throne, notwithstanding his solemn engagement to support the claim of Matilda. The king of Scots invaded England. The hostile monarchs entered into an in sincere treaty; but the war was rekindled with animo sity, and continued to rage for two years.
The battle of the standard was fought on Cutton Moor near Northallerton. The English formed a compact body, with the standard in the centre. The Scots were ranged in three divisions. The Scottish infantry were badly armed; their swords were brittle, and their only implement of defence was a target of leather.
The Bishop of Orkney exhorted the English to bat tle; he promised them victory, and absolved all who should fall in the cause of their country. The vene rable Walter L'Espee ascended the carriage to which the standard was fixed, and harangued the multitude. The shock was bloody, and continued two hours. Symptoms of general disorder began to appear; when the prince of Scotland attacked and dispersed the troops that guarded the rear. The Gallowaymen ral lied, and at that moment, an English soldier cutting off the head of one of the slain, raised it, and cried, " The head of the king of Scots." Consternation spread through the Scottish army, and the Scottish nobles compelled the king to retreat. After their defeat, the Scots turned their weapons against each other. The king interposed his authority, and to give them employment, led them to the siege of Werk, when a treaty of peace was negotiated be tween the hostile kings by the papal legate.
David ratified the peace concluded at Durham. The Prince of Scotland was gratified with the earldom of Northumberland, on condition that he should do ho mage as an English baron. The authority of Stephen
was at this time established; but he alienated the af fections of the clergy, and reinvolved the nation in war. Matilda being seated on the throne, invited her uncle the king of Scots to her court; but the English deposed her, and obliged her to fly, accompanied by her royal kinsman.
From that time David relinquished all concern in the affairs of England, and turned his attention to the government of his own kingdom. An Englishman named Wimund, of obscure birth, was promoted to the see of Man. Pretending to be the son of Angus, earl of Moray, he collected a number of associates, and made piratical incursions in the Western Islands. He obtained for his wife a daughter of Somerled, Thane of Argyll, invaded Scotland, pillaged the country, and slew the inhabitants. But his people conspired against him, put out his eyes, and delivered him over to the government, by which he was imprisoned for life in Roxburgh castle.
During the course of his administration, David es tablished towns, promoted agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and instituted the municipal laws, known by the name of Leges Burgorum. He ex pired in the seventy-third year of his age.
Malcolm, the Fourth, styled the Maiden, succeeded his grandfather: Upon the death of his father, Mal colm had been sent on a progress through Scotland, and proclaimed heir to the crown. Ile was only twelve years of age when he ascended the throne. His ac cession was no sooner announced, than Somerled Thane of Argyll excited an insurrection. The events of this war are unknown, but Somerled at length agreed to terms of accommodation, and kept the peace during seven years.
Upon the death of Stephen, Henry the Second suc ceeded to the throne of England, and demanded the restitution of those territories which the king of Scots held in England. The kings had an interview at Chester. Prudence induced Malcolm to relinquish what he could not defend. The king of Scots did homage in the same form that his grandfather had done to Henry the First, " reserving all his dignities," and Henry in return conferred on him the-honour of Huntingdon.