Editing Malcolm II of Scotland (section)

== Early years and path to the throne ==
Malcolm II was the son of [[Kenneth II]] and grandson of [[Malcolm I]]. Fourteenth century Scottish [[chronicler]] [[John of Fordun]] writes that Malcolm defeated a [[Norway|Norwegian]] army "in almost the first days after his coronation", but this is not reported elsewhere. Fordun says that the [[Diocese of Aberdeen|Bishopric of Mortlach]] (later moved to [[Aberdeen]]) was founded in thanks for this victory over the Norwegians.<ref>''Early Sources'', p. 525 note 1; Fordun, IV, xxxix–xl.</ref>

Succession of Scottish kings at the time often involved murder, even patricide. The killer of Scottish King [[Causantín mac Cuilén|Constantine III]] in 997 is credited as being "Kenneth, son of Malcolm". Since Kenneth II died in 995, this is considered an error, for either [[Kenneth III]], (''grand''son of Malcolm I), who succeeded Constantine and stood to benefit, but by John of Fordham, for Malcolm II himself.<ref>Anderson, ''Early Sources'', pp. 517–518. John of Fordun has Malcolm II as the killer, whereas later historian Duncan credits [[Cináed mac Duib|Kenneth MacDuff]] with Constantine's death.</ref>

Whether Malcolm killed Constantine or not, he certainly killed Constantine's successor Kenneth III in 1005, during a battle at [[Monzievaird]] in [[Strathearn]].<ref>[[Chronicon Scotorum]], s.a. 1005; ''Early Sources'', pp. 521–524; Fordun, IV, xxxviii. Berchán places Cináed's death by the Earn.</ref>