died Aug. 1, 1040, near Elgin, Moray, Scot.
King of the Scots (1034–40).
The grandson of King Malcolm II , his accession to the throne violated the system in which kingship alternated between two branches of the royal family. He was challenged by Macbeth, mormaer (subking) of Moray, who was the inspiration for the play by Malcolm III Canmore .