DAVID I. (1084-1153). King of Scotland from 1124 to 1153. He was the youngest son of Malcolm Canthore by his wife Saint Margaret (q.v.). During the fierce struggle for the pos session of the Scottish crown, which followed the death of his father in 1093, the youthful David found refuge in England, together with his sister Eadgyth, or Matilda, who, in 1100. mar ried Henry 1., King of England. The residence of David at the English Court would appear to have been prolonged for several years, and the assertion of 'William of Mahnesbury may well he credited that "it freed him from the rust of Scot tish barbarity." In 1107 his elder brother, Alex ander, succeeded to the throne, and David be came Prince of Cumbria (q.v.). Together with this great principality he seems to have held lands in Lothian; and by his marriage. in 1113, with Matilda, widow of the Earl of Northamp ton. he acquired possession of that earldom too. In 1124 he succeeded his brother as King. In 1127 he took an oath, with the other great barons at England. to maintain the rights of his niece. Matilda, as heiress to the English crown, should her father, Henry I.. (lie without male issue. The event thus contemplated came to pass in 1135, and when Stephen mounted the English throne David took up arms in behalf of Matilda. Peace was restored by the grant of the earldom of Huntingdon and the promise of the earldom of Northumberland to David's son. Henry, theri in his twentieth year; but the war was soon re sumed, and in 1138 the King of the Scots, de serted by Bruce and others of his Anglo-Norman vassals, was signally defeated in the battle of 'the Standard.' near Northallerton. In the next year
a second pence was concluded between the two kings, when the promised earldom of Northum berland was bestowed on Prince Henry. In 1140 the Scottish King marched into England for the third time to assert the rights of Matilda. He was again defeated, and only regained his own country with difficulty.
The rest of his reign was devoted to the intro duction of English civilization into Scotland, a task which had been begun by his parents and continued by his brothers, King Edgard and King Alexander. He secured the peace and safe ty of the country by building castles; and by erecting burghs he promoted trade. shipping and manufactures. He showed his favor for learning by endowing many bishoprics and monasteries. David died at Carlisle on May 24. 1153. His son Henry had died in the previous June, and he was succeeded by his grandson, Malcolm. The remains of David's legislation. including the in teresting code of the Leqes Bargo•um, have been carefully collected in the first volume of The Acts of the Parliament of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1844). Consult Robertson. Scotland Under Her Early Kings (Edinburgh, 1802).