Page "Malcolm III of Scotland" Paragraph 22

In 1092, the peace began to break down.

Based on the idea that the Scots controlled much of modern Cumbria, it had been supposed that William Rufus's new castle at Carlisle and his settlement of English peasants in the surrounds was the cause.

However, it is unlikely that Malcolm did control Cumbria, and the dispute instead concerned the estates granted to Malcolm by William Rufus's father in 1072 for his maintenance when visiting England.

Malcolm sent messengers to discuss the question and William Rufus agreed to a meeting.

Malcolm travelled south to Gloucester, stopping at Wilton Abbey to visit his daughter Edith and sister-in-law Cristina.

Malcolm arrived there on 24 August 1093 to find that William Rufus refused to negotiate, insisting that the dispute be judged by the English barons.

This Malcolm refused to accept, and returned immediately to Scotland.