Scottish Highers History Church, state and feudal society: To what extent was royal power i

Question

To what extent was royal power in Scotland successfully increased during the reign of David I?

David I was the youngest son of King Malcolm III and St Margaret. By the time he succeeded to the throne in 1124, he was well connected with a good marriage, a rich inheritance and estates in Normandy, north England and southern Scotland. He sought to impose his authority on the kingdom of Scotland on his succession to the throne.

The introduction of feudal landholding:  
During his time in England, David became an admirer of the feudal landholding system. This introduced the idea of military feudalism into areas of Scotland, notably the southwest, lowlands, and northeast.

Noble families were imported from his lands in England and France and given grants of land. In return, they offered David feudal service, both politically and militarily. Examples include Robert de Brus in Annandale and Walter fitz Alan in Renfrewshire and East Lothian.

The need to develop the economy:  
Before David, revenue in Scotland was mostly limited to the incomes from royal demesnes. The lack of royal burghs limited international trade and early medieval Scottish kings lacked the financial resources to tackle the Morerners directly without the Community of the Realm backing them.

As a result, David sought to develop more burghs, for example Perth, in order to generate the revenue. Burghs allowed for privileged merchants, which were David's earliest sources of money. By the end of his reign there were even burghs in Forth and Elgin in Moray.

Law and order:  
Royal justice was usually reserved for more serious crimes. Issues of land, an important aspect of justice, were often poorly judged or unfairly settled. Expansive royal castles: Mott and Bailey.

Development of royal government:  
Development of offices during David I's reign such as Constable, Butler, Chamberlain and Chancellor. Supporters like Hugh de Morville and Ralph de Sudeley became David's constant and helpful.

This consolidated and kept the exagium 'Rannalair' (Divider of Food) and the royal body guard; the 'Durward'.

Sheriffs were introduced to replace the style of Norman Kings of England, larger than their country.

Sheriffs sought to replace thanes in the remote areas of the kingdom. They offered judicial and legislative roles. The appointment of officials with Gaelic names shows how he used the structures that already existed.

Development of the royal military forces:  
The new feudal forces brought to David by his introduction of feudalism offered a significant advantage when dealing with the Celtic Morerners. Traditionally it was the Morerners who controlled the summoning of the common army of Scotland. Now David had an independent force loyal to him.

David did not always work well together, as seen at the disastrous Battle of the Standard the peace agreement established during the reign of Stephen-Matilda in England, extended Scotland's border further south than ever before.

Development of the justice system:  
New Scottish barons were given the rights to hold their own courts within their fiefs. The introduction of a system of justice reflected the king’s law, rather than the traditional courts led by Brechons, experts in the law. Eventually these Celtic courts died out as they were replaced with sheriff courts, which became one of the king's law.

Judicial appeared to compromise the sheriff's; highest administrative and judicial officer.

Development of the Church:  
Started by the influence of St Margaret, the introduction of the Roman Church at the expense of the Celtic one offered a significant support to the development of royal authority. David offered significant grants to landowners. The greatest being direct grants to Melrose, Dunfermline, and Holyrood.

The church gained a centralization of administration, which eventually led to the inclusion of the clergy into the royal administration.

Succession:  
David sought a smooth succession to his son. He did however use Celtic procedures, such as taking Murchad around the country to secure acceptance and the use of Gaelic names.

Any other relevant factors.

To what extent was royal power in Scotland successfully increased during the reign of David I? David I was the youngest son of King Malcolm III and St Margaret - Scottish Highers History - Question 17 - 2018

Worked Solution & Example Answer:To what extent was royal power in Scotland successfully increased during the reign of David I? David I was the youngest son of King Malcolm III and St Margaret - Scottish Highers History - Question 17 - 2018

Introduction of feudal landholding:

The need to develop the economy:

Law and order:

Development of royal government:

Development of royal military forces:

Development of the justice system:

Development of the Church:

Succession:

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