King David I: 1124-53
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David I was the ninth son of Malcolm Canmore and inherited the throne in 1124 after a succession of unnotable rulers and ruled for nearly 30 years, bringing many improvements to Scotland.
He gave large Scottish estates to Anglo-Norman friends - the ancestors of the Balliol’s, Robert the Bruce and the Stewarts. Old Celtic families merged with French-speaking incomers, establishing families in the Lowlands whose names are common throughout Scotland today: Frasers, Maxwells, Gordons, Crichtons and others. The Highlanders retained their traditional clan system and took little notice of these southern interlopers.
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David led an army against England in 1138 and subsequent negotiation won him Northumberland and Cumbria. Flemish weavers settled along the east coast, and were granted special privileges and rights. This brought new materials and skills.
David founded a number of lavish cathedrals, churches and monasteries, including the Border abbeys, bringing in religious communities from Europe. He urged monks to create commercial interests. He died in 1153, heartbroken by the death of his son the previous year.
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