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 came to the Scottish court with her brother Edgar and there won the affection and then the hand of Malcolm Canmore. The contrast that followed is striking. Malcolm was rough, brave, and uncultured, while Margaret was educated, devout, and disciplined; yet instead of despising him she softened and steadied him, and through her influence he became a much better ruler. Her sanctity then widened beyond marriage. Margaret helped civilize the court, fostered education and religion, promoted synods to correct serious abuses among clergy and people, founded churches with her husband, and raised children who would themselves shape the future of the kingdom.

The interior side made all this credible. Margaret was severe with herself, slept little, kept long vigils, fasted intensely, loved the Gospels, washed the feet of the poor, tended the sick with her own hands, ransomed captives, and never sat to table without feeding others first. Queenship was never mere ornament. Her rule was maternal, practical, and sacrificial. The sorrowful end followed: Malcolm and her son Edward were killed, the kingdom was struck, and Margaret herself died only days later, offering thanks to God even in affliction. It is one of the great royal portraits of the medieval Church.