St Margaret of Scotland

Margaret of Scotland is one of the clearest examples of sanctity exercised through marriage, royalty, and public responsibility. An English princess in exile, she comes to the Scottish court with her brother Edgar and there wins the affection and then the hand of Malcolm Canmore. This life loves the contrast that follows. Malcolm is rough, brave, and uncultured, while Margaret is educated, devout, and disciplined; yet instead of despising him she softens and steadies him, and through her influence he becomes a much better ruler. The life then widens beyond marriage. Margaret helps civilize the court, fosters education and religion, promotes synods to correct serious abuses among clergy and people, founds churches with her husband, and raises children who will themselves shape the future of the kingdom.

This life gives special attention to the interior side that made all this credible. Margaret is severe with herself, sleeps little, keeps long vigils, fasts intensely, loves the Gospels, washes the feet of the poor, tends the sick with her own hands, ransoms captives, and never sits to table without feeding others first. This life therefore never lets queenship become mere ornament. Margaret’s rule is maternal, practical, and sacrificial. This life closes the life with the sorrowful end: Malcolm and her son Edward killed, the kingdom struck, and Margaret herself dying only days later after offering thanks to God even in affliction. The result is one of his finest royal portraits.