David II

David II (1324-71), king of Scots (1329-71). He succeeded to the throne at the age of 5; and within three years his realm was invaded by Edward Balliol and Edward III of England. With his young wife Joan, sister of Edward III, he had to take refuge in France. Not until 1341 was he able to return; and in 1346 he was captured at the battle of Neville's Cross, near Durham, and spent eleven years in captivity before his release in 1357.

After his return to Scotland in 1357, David's government proved efficient. He was able to impose heavy taxation to meet the cost of his ransom. He dealt firmly with a baronial revolt in 1363 and with opposition from individual barons. His main weakness lay in his personal affairs. His first wife seems to have abandoned him after 1357, returning to England. David above all required an heir. By 1363 he had formed an attachment to Margaret Logie, whom he married in that year. When no heir was forthcoming by 1370, he divorced her and was planning to marry Agnes Dunbar, when he himself died unexpectedly, early in 1371.