His reign was marked by wars and internal difficulties. He succeeded his grand- father, King Malcolm II to the throne. Duncan had also inherited the Crown of Strathclyde, thereby greatly increasing the size of the Scottish domains, and after that the land was known as Scotland. His reign ended in 1040, when he was assassinated by Macbeth, Great Steward of Ross and Moray, and the subject of William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Macbeth." Macbeth ruled Scotland until 1057, when he was defeated and killed by Duncan's son, Malcolm, who became King Malcolm III.
Death: 1040, Scotland.
Married to the daughter or sister of Siward, Earl of Northumberland. Killed by MacBeth, his successor. King of Strathclyde.