 Auldearn Today |
Malcolm I (a.k.a. Máel Coluim mac Domnaill) lived from 897 to 954 and was King of Alba from 943 to 954. The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline.
Malcolm I was the son of Donald II of Alba, and succeeded to he throne on the abdication of his father's cousin, King Constantine II.
Malcolm gained a reputation for his wisdom and Edmund I of England sought him out as an ally against the Vikings, giving Malcolm the province of Cumbria in return for an alliance. The alliance was invoked by Edmund's successor, who wanted Malcolm's support against King Anlaf of Northumberland which at that time still included the Lothians.
In 954 Malcolm I was faced with a revolt by the men of Moray led by their maormor (or earl), Cellach. The revolt was suppressed, and Cellach was killed. But shortly afterwards Malcolm I was himself killed by one of Cellach's supporters at Auldearn. He was buried, as was now traditional for Scottish Kings, in the graveyard at Saint Oran's Chapel on the Isle of Iona.
Malcolm I was succeeded by King Indulf, his second cousin and son of King Constantine II.
