Queen Margaret of Scotland was by birth an English Princess, sometimes known as the Pearl of Scotland. As a child she was brought up in Hungary because her family was exiled from England. She was trained by the Benedictines to a life of prayer and work.

At age 10 Margaret, her mother, brother and sister returned to England. Margaret and her sister, Matilda, were trained in needlework for which English women were so famous. The solid gold embroidery work used for Church was called Opus Anglicum.

Margaret was to meet her future husband when she was but twenty. Malcolm III of Scotland (crowned when Malcolm's father, Duncan was murdered by Macbeth) was around forty and a widower with one son. Margaret had prepared to live a spiritual life but was convinced to marry Malcolm. In 1070 Margaret was married to the King of Scotland thence forth to be known as Queen Margaret of Scotland.

Though her life of prayer and work was essentially ended, she did help the Archbishop of Canterbury to reorganize and reform the religion of Scotland, and was a leading voice in changes in the social life. Malcolm adored his wife and realized that Margaret drew her inspirations from sources unattainable to him. He could not read but sometimes would just hold the books she used for her devotions. She lived in the spirit of inward poverty looking on nothing as her own but recognizing everything she possessed was to be used for the purpose of God. In this she is in the direct line of the saints.

The Scottish Clans accepted the reforms she introduced and once she had won their hearts she had won her cause. She was so simple they felt her way must be a good way. Here people had free access to her. There was a stone called St. Margaret's Stone near Dunfermline, on which tradition says she used to sit so that anyone in trouble might come to her. At the first hour of the day, after many hours of prayer, nine orphans were brought to her and she fed them. The Queen did this act of charity for the sake of Christ. Also every morning the King and Queen would give out alms in the royal hall. She strove to improve the standard of living of her people. No English captives in Scotland went without help, and many gained their liberty because of her.

For centuries Margaret was honored as the ideal of a holy woman. She was a reformer of life and religion rather than of the Church. She did summon the leaders of the Church to meet her, and ultimately did convince them to reform the religion of the country. Queen Margaret and Malcolm III rebuilt the monastery in Iona and supplied the monks so that they could carry on their work.

Margaret had 6 sons and 2 daughters. Her son David I, the youngest, is remembered among the best kings of Scotland. Margaret's second daughter, Mary, married the Count of Boulogne, and also became Queen of England as the wife of King Stephen. Her first daughter Matilda married Henry I of England, 3rd son of the Conqueror, thus becoming the Queen of England and united the Saxon and Norman lines. Queen Margaret's granddaughter, also named Matilda, married in royalty. Margaret's children, who played a great part in the history of England and Scotland, were brought up first being taught to love Christ. Queen Margaret's children saw the beginnings of the Britain, as we know it today. Toward the end of her life, she and King Malcolm lived in the Castle of Edinburgh.

Queen Margaret, of all the saints canonized by the Church, stands alone as the happy mother of a large family, a mother who reared sons and daughters to her credit and died surrounded by her children before the age of fifty. It is told that as she lay dying her son Edgar came in with news that her husband and eldest son had been killed in battle. Queen Margaret's achievements were great, but the selfless spirit in which she achieved them was even greater.

Through all the wars since the destruction of Edinburgh Castle in 1314, Queen Margaret's little Chapel within those walls (standing on what is known as Castle Rock) survives. In 1942, St. Margaret's Chapel Guild was formed under the patronage of HRH (Her Royal Highness) Princess Margaret.

 

To this day, every week of the year, flowers are placed in the Chapel by women named Margaret, rich or poor, to keep the life and principles of St. Margaret of Scotland before Scottish women of all ages and to encourage the use of the Chapel as often as possible for devotions. (Click on both Chapel pictures for a close-up)

 

On the occasion of her 800th Anniversary in 1893, this Church was established by Father William Ryan in honor of her. Her Feast day is celebrated in the Catholic Church on November 16th.

 

 

More information about St. Margaret of Scotland and her life may be found on the New Advent or Catholic On-line web sites.