King David I

On Alexander I’s death at Stirling in 1124 he ascended the throne as King David I. The term the ‘Davidian Revolution’ is often used by historians to describe what happened during the reign of David I. Heavily influenced by his time in Anglo-Norman England David I rapidly introduced many major reforms to his new Kingdom of Scotland. In particular he introduced the feudal system, bringing into Scotland Anglo-Norman knights to serve in his household. These newcomers provided him with heavily armoured Norman cavalry which were the dominant military force in the Europe of the time. They also gave the king access to the Norman castle building techniques which had enabled the Normans to take a firm hold of England in the years following the Battle of Hastings in 1066. These new Anglo-Norman incomers were given the titles of officers in the royal household such as the Stewart and the Butler. They would go on to form the basis of many of the most prominent families of later Scottish history.

                                      The Foundation of Burghs

The most important of David I’s reforms was the foundation and building of burghs in Scotland. Given established boundaries and with granted trading rights, the royal agents would then collect the royal taxes from these burghs. At least fifteen burghs are known to have been established by the king though there were probably several more. David I also introduced the first coinage to Scotland. Foreign coins had been in limited circulation before, but the new coins greatly expanded their use and fed into the economic transformation of Scotland. The new burghs transformed the economy of Scotland, and by a century later there are known to have been 55 in existence.

                                         Religious Reform

David I also put a considerable effort into religious reform during his reign, particularly as regards monastic foundations. This included the foundation of both Holyrood, Kelso, and St Andrews abbeys. The most famous foundation however was that of Melrose Abbey with Cistercian monks from Rievaulx in Yorkshire. These new foundations had a significant effect on the Scottish economy with new forms of economic activity. This was particularly true of the development of wool production in the South of Scotland.

 

                                 The Government of Scotland

As with other areas of life David I was heavily influenced by his time in Anglo-Norman England and as with the church, burghs and military matters he also made significant changes to the governance of Scotland. In particular there was the establishment of new sheriffdoms, such as at Stirling and Perth. There was also the creation of two Justiciarships. One for Scotland north of the Forth and the other for south of it. A third one for Galloway was added in the thirteenth century.