Gone Medieval – “Scotland’s Medieval Queens”

Podcast: Gone Medieval (History Hit)
Host: Matt Lewis
Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly
Date: February 27, 2026

Overview

This episode of Gone Medieval explores the lives and legacies of Scotland’s medieval queens, focusing on their roles in history, politics, religion, and family. Host Matt Lewis is joined by medieval historian and author Sharon Bennett Connolly, whose recent book "Scotland's Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark" inspired a discussion of some of the era’s most significant and dynamic queens. Sharon and Matt discuss the personal histories, political influence, and compelling stories of St Margaret of Scotland, Margaret of England, and Elizabeth de Burgh—illuminating how these women shaped Scotland’s past and defied expectations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. St Margaret of Scotland: From Reluctant Queen to National Saint

[03:32-20:20]

• Background and Early Life

  • Technically Hungarian by birth, Margaret was daughter of Edward the Exile and granddaughter of Edmund Ironside (King of England).
  • After her father's death in England, Margaret and her siblings were taken in by King Edward the Confessor's wife (Edith of Wessex).
  • “She is one of the two patron saints of Scotland... she was born in Hungary to a chap named Edward the Exile.” (Sharon, 03:32)

• Becoming Queen

  • Margaret and her brother Edgar fled to Scotland after failed English succession bids. King Malcolm III supported Edgar and wished to marry Margaret.
  • Margaret, initially desiring a religious life, agreed to the marriage out of familial obligation and gratitude for Malcolm’s support.

• Marriage & Family

  • Their marriage produced at least 8 children (possibly more).
  • Deep trust and cooperation between Margaret and Malcolm.
  • “They were definitely close... Malcolm trusted Margaret to give him sound advice, and she trusted Malcolm to see her through the things that she—to get her familiar with Scottish society.” (Sharon, 08:46)

• Religious Reforms & Influence

  • Instrumental in moving the Scottish Church from Celtic to Roman Catholic practices.
  • Advocated discipline and humility in royal children’s upbringing.
  • “She wasn’t just telling people how to live; she lived it... She would wash the feet of lepers.” (Sharon, 12:34, 13:01)

• Legacy and Myth vs. Fact

  • Later chroniclers consistently referenced her as an example for future queens, sometimes confusing her with other Margarets.
  • Revered as a national ideal—both legendary and grounded in truth due to contemporary biographies (notably by her confessor Turgot).
  • “She is the shining example other queens are told. Remember the example of St. Margaret.” (Sharon, 20:09)

• Succession Crisis After Her Death

  • The deaths of Malcolm, their son Edward, and Margaret within days sparked dynastic turmoil due to unclear succession traditions (Tanistry vs. primogeniture).

Notable Quotes:

• “Whenever you’re reading the sources... Every time you see Margaret in the Chronicles, it’s more than likely her.” (Sharon, 06:33)
• “She was incredibly strong, which I guess is even more striking for someone who never wanted to be a queen, who wanted to be a nun...” (Matt, 08:29)

2. Margaret of England: The Queen Who Brought Peace

[20:20-39:42]

• Background

  • Daughter of Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence.
  • Married to Alexander III of Scotland; their union symbolized and helped secure a remarkably long period of peace between Scotland and England.
  • Married as a child (about age 5), sent to Scotland to live apart from her family.

• Experience as a Young Queen

  • Lonely and under strict supervision to prevent premature consummation of marriage.
  • Maintained close ties with her English family; parents visited and advocated for her well-being.
  • “She was very lonely... She didn't even get to see her husband and she didn't know anybody in Scotland.” (Sharon, 20:36)

• Marriage & Motherhood

  • Eventually, Alexander and Margaret became close; they had three children.
  • After a traumatic third birth, Margaret’s health declined and she died young (age 34).
  • "Their marriage seems to have been one of genuine mutual affection. Alexander didn’t... he had no reason to remarry [after her death]." (Sharon, 34:06)

• Legacy & Tragedy

  • Her daughter (also Margaret) married the King of Norway; their child, Margaret the Maid of Norway, became Scotland’s sole heir as a child, precipitating political crisis upon her early death.
  • Edward I of England’s intervention in the Scottish succession set off decades of turmoil.
  • “It’s very telling... that they will accept a female ruler...” (Sharon, 36:15)

Notable Quotes:

• “Anyone would think the Scots had reason to Mistrust the English. I mean, I don’t know where that would have come from.” (Matt, 32:16)
• “...Scotland’s problems all start, because Edward I gets involved and arranges for little Margaret to marry his son Edward, the future Edward II...” (Sharon, 36:24)

3. Elizabeth de Burgh: Queen in the Wars of Independence

[40:02-56:47]

• Origins and Marriage

  • Daughter of Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster (Edward I’s ally).
  • Married Robert the Bruce before his claim to the Scottish throne.
  • Caught in the political whirlwind as Bruce shifted allegiance from England to Scotland.

• Life as Queen and Imprisonment

  • After Bruce’s controversial killing of John Comyn and coronation, Elizabeth became queen in perilous times ("king and queen of the May").
  • She and Bruce’s female relatives were captured and imprisoned by Edward I for eight years—Elizabeth in relative comfort, others in cages.
  • “Elizabeth de Burgh is queen and she actually... refers to herself and Robert as the king and queen of the May. You know, like the May Queen, because she doesn’t think it will last." (Sharon, 44:52)

• Relationship with Robert the Bruce

  • Political alliance more than romance, though Robert was attentive at key moments.
  • "He takes her with him, he knows that he needs her because without a queen, you can't get an heir... he makes sure she’s got a big, substantial guard..." (Sharon, 47:19)

• Legacy as Mother and Queen

  • On release (post-Bannockburn), bore children—David (later king) and daughters.
  • Likely died due to childbirth complications at 38. Buried beside Robert at Dunfermline Abbey, signifying mutual respect if not romance.
  • “Although there’s questions as to how close they were, they obviously did feel they’d had this long fight together…” (Sharon, 54:18)

Notable Quotes:

• "Robert Bruce, his throne is insecure because he can't have an heir." (Matt, 50:33)
• "You can’t help but think how hard it must have been for the pair of them to have that bit of time together, then be torn apart for eight years… As soon as he wins Bannockburn, he’s negotiating to get his family back...” (Sharon, 54:57)

Final Reflections: What Makes Scottish Queens Distinct?

[57:09-59:19]

• Scottish queens often faced early widowhood due to the violence that claimed many kings.
• Unlike many English queens, Scottish queens could be regents only while unmarried—a restriction limiting long-term female political power, though many still fought fiercely for their children's rights.
• Fierce, involved guardians of their familial and national interests—even dying in sieges or political conflicts.
• "Scottish politics is just a minefield, but fascinating... you look at where George R.R. Martin gets all his ideas from. All you have to do is look at Scottish history." (Sharon, 57:09)

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Margaret’s Influence:
  “Every time you see Margaret in the Chronicles, it’s more than likely her… so influential to the Scottish people… all the queens who came after used her as an example.”
  —Sharon, [06:33]

• On Royal Example:
  “She didn’t just tell people about how they should live, she lived it. You can’t exactly say, oh, well, you tell us what to do but you don’t actually do it. She did it.”
  —Sharon, [13:01]

• On Queenly Loneliness:
  “She was very lonely… She didn’t even get to see her husband and she didn’t know anybody in Scotland.”
  —Sharon, [20:36]

• On Hostile Marriages:
  “Anyone would think the Scots had reason to Mistrust the English. I mean, I don’t know where that would have come from.”
  —Matt, [32:16]

• On Scottish Queens’ Resilience:
  “They had a tenacity about them and they kept fighting for their families, for their sons… Scottish politics is just a minefield, but fascinating.”
  —Sharon, [57:09]

Important Timestamps

• [03:32-17:44] — St Margaret of Scotland: origins, reign, and reforms.
• [20:28-39:42] — Margaret of England: diplomatic marriage and its impact.
• [40:02-56:47] — Elizabeth de Burgh: war, captivity, and motherhood.
• [57:09-59:19] — Unique qualities of Scottish queens and their legacy.

Conclusion

This episode offered a rich, personal, and political tapestry of Scotland’s medieval queens—each contending with adversity, wielding influence, and leaving a complex legacy. Through stories of faith, reform, tragedy, and tenacity, Sharon Bennett Connolly and Matt Lewis showcase queens who were central to Scottish history, not just symbolic figures but real, resilient women who shaped a nation.

Listeners interested in more stories or in-depth discussion of additional queens are encouraged to read Sharon’s book "Scotland's Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark."