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Queen
Margaret of Scotland was by birth an English Princess,
but through a variety of circumstances was raised in
Hungary. In 1054, Margaret and her family returned from
Hungary to England. Shortly after this, King Malcolm III of Scotland, who had been living at the English court, met Margaret, his future Queen. Young Margaret would find a primitive style of life at Dunfermline, the royal residence in Scotland. There was great poverty and many of the people were only nominally Christian.
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The coming of Queen Margaret of Scotland marked a new era. Through much work and gentle persuasion, she achieved an effective reform of the Scottish church. Despite her royal position, Margaret lived a relatively simple and often difficult life. Although her husband could neither read or write, Margaret (a woman of the 11th century!) had a strong Benedictine education and knew Latin as well as English. She educated her own children. Her personal care for the poor and needy was exemplary. Margaret, a contemplative by nature, was a deeply prayerful woman. Wife, mother of eight children, educated woman, important player in Scottish and British history, Margaret was, above all, a holy woman. She taught her children and she teaches us:
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