1018 - 1292

1018
Malcolm II defeats the Angles to bring Lothian under Scottish Control.

1034
Duncan becomes king of a much-expanded Scotland, including Pictland, Scotland, Lothian, Cumbria and Strathclyde.

1071
King Malcolm III, whose wife was an English princess responsible for introducing many of her country's fashions and customs to Scotland, is forced to pay homage at Abernethy to William I, King of England and Duke of Normandy.

1124
King David I ascends the Scottish throne, introduces the Anglo-Norman feudal system into the south of Scotland, creates a central administration, establishes many castles and burghs and reorganizes the Scottish Church to conform to English and continental standards. He also introduces a feudal system of land ownership founded on a French-speaking Anglo-Norman aristocracy that will remain aloof from the majority of the Gaelic-speaking population.

1136
David reasserts old territorial claims to the borderlands, including Carlisle, which he retains by the Treaty of Durham 1139 At a second Treaty of Durham, due to the troubles of English king Stephen, David is able to gain most of the lands he had lost at the Battle of the Standard one-year earlier (when he was defeated in his attempt to support Empress Matilda against Stephen).

1157
Malcolm IV, who succeeded David in 1153, is forced to give up his northern counties to the powerful Henry II of England.

1165
William I, 'the Lion,' becomes King of Scotland succeeding Malcolm IV, but is captured, imprisoned and forced to recognize Henry II's feudal superiority over Scotland. After the death of Henry, Richard I's dire need for funds to finance his Crusades and his lack of interest in Scotland meant that William was able to enjoy a period of independence for his country.

1263
At the Battle of Largs, Alexander III, King of Scots, defeats King Haakon of Norway to unite Scotland as an independent kingdom.

1266
The Treaty of Perth confirms the Western Isles and the Isle of Man as parts of Scotland, freed from Norse control.

1274
Earl of Carrick, Robert Bruce is born at Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire, of both Norman and Celtic ancestry.

1292
There are many claimants to the throne of Scotland after the death of the young princess Margaret, the infant daughter of the King of Norway. Margaret had been betrothed to the son of English King Edward I. Under Edward's influence, John Balliol is declared as rightful king of Scotland.