In 1250 this became the home of St Margaret’s relics, accompanied by King Malcolm Canmore’s remains. Among the relics was a chemise or sark that Margaret had worn. Margaret and Malcolm had eight children, six boys and two girls during their marriage 1070-1093. In a time of little medical intervention and little knowledge such a large family with no known infant deaths was rare. Margaret was viewed as a positive force for childbirth and her sark would be requested by royal mothers who would pay to wear the clothing during childbirth. It is thought Elizabeth de Burgh, queen consort to Robert the Bruce wore the sark for the birth of their children.
Listen to a little extract from the dedicated tour to St Margaret’s extraordinary life in Dunfermline. You can hear the whole tour at [link to tour site]