Duncan II

Duncan II, son of Malcolm III, ruled as King of Scotland for a brief period in 1094. Educated and raised in the English court due to his family's ties with King William I, Duncan brought Norman-style governance ideas to Scotland. After the death of his father, Malcolm III, Duncan challenged his uncle Donald III's claim to the throne. With English backing, he managed to usurp Donald, but his reign was short-lived. The significant Norman influence he introduced was met with resistance by Scottish nobles, leading to internal strife. Duncan II's rule came to a sudden end when he was killed in November 1094, after which Donald III reclaimed the throne. Despite his brief reign, Duncan II's ascension marked an early attempt to integrate Norman administrative practices into Scottish governance.