The Authorized Version

Today, November 16, is the day the Church calendar commemorates one of my favorite historical people—Queen Margaret of Scotland. Margaret wanted to be a nun, but God, history, and a very dynamic man changed all that.

When William the Conqueror defeated the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings—you know—“1066 And All That,” the English royal family had to flee to safety. To Hungary, they thought, but, again, God had other plans. A huge storm blew them onto the coast of Scotland.

Enter King Malcolm—yes, the one from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Malcolm’s energy, force of personality, and love for Margaret knew no bounds. So, Margaret consented to be Malcolm’s bride and queen. But, in truth, it was Margaret who conquered.

In her gentle, subtle, and exceedingly clever way, Margaret set about transforming Malcolm, the court, and Scotland. She established manners, civility, order, beauty, peace, and the Gospel in her adopted land—and Malcolm thought it was all his own doing.

Little wonder I find this lady delightful and inspiring. Besides the fact that I have a granddaughter named for her.

Today, I pray with the Church: “God, the ruler of all, who called your servant Margaret to an Earthly throne and gave her zeal for your Church and love for your people that she might advance your heavenly kingdom: mercifully grant that we who commemorate her example may be fruitful in good works and attain to the glorious crown of your saints, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

You can read her story here.