Page "Malcolm III of Scotland" Paragraph 21

When William Rufus became king of England after his father's death, Malcolm did not intervene in the rebellions by supporters of Robert Curthose which followed.

In 1091, however, William Rufus confiscated Edgar Ætheling's lands in England, and Edgar fled north to Scotland.

In May, Malcolm marched south, not to raid and take slaves and plunder, but to besiege Newcastle, built by Robert Curthose in 1080.

This appears to have been an attempt to advance the frontier south from the River Tweed to the River Tees.

The threat was enough to bring the English king back from Normandy, where he had been fighting Robert Curthose.

In September, learning of William Rufus's approaching army, Malcolm withdrew north and the English followed.

Unlike in 1072, Malcolm was prepared to fight, but a peace was arranged by Edgar Ætheling and Robert Curthose whereby Malcolm again acknowledged the overlordship of the English king.