Alexander III became King of Scots at Scone, aged eight on the 13th of July 1249 on the death of his father Alexander II. During his minority he was was subject to the conflict between Walter Comyn, the Earl of Menteith, and Alan Durward, Justiciar of Scotia. The infighting being severe enough to have Alexander kidnapped at one point. In 1251 aged ten, he had been married to , Margaret, the daughter of Henry III. Henry, like all English Kings, attempted to bully the young Alexander into paying homage to him. Alexander stoutly refused as all Scots Kings ought to refuse! His strong temperament and his father's teaching had influenced him well.
However Comyn and Durward continued to fight over who influenced the King until at twenty one, Alexander attained his majority and ruled by himself. He immediately began to stake his claim on the Highlands and Islands at that time ruled by Norway under King Hakkon. The Norwegian King showed no intention of handing over his claim and a stand off ensued. Alexander's guile ensured negotiations lasted until autumn storms arrived and devastated Hakkons fleet. His victory was sweet and he had completed the task started by his father years before. He continued to build up his nation, creating a peaceable kingdom, stable and prosperous by his death. Farmers were encouraged to farm more land, wool was exported to the Low Countries, and trade flourished. Berwick on Tweed became the busiest port in the British Isles, until burnt to the ground and stolen by the thuggish Edward I
His first wife Margaret provided him with three children who, like their mother, all pre-deceased him, his grand-daughter Margaret, the 'Maid of Norway', was then named as his heir. He married again in the hope of achieving a male heir, Yolande, Comtesse de Montfort, on the 14th October 1285. His wife was young and attractive and the forty four year old was always keen on ladies. Therefore on 19th of March 1286, after meeting his court in Edinburgh he took it upon himself to visit her in Kinghorn, Fife. At the Queensferry the boatman refused to row him across, the night being dark and stormy and much effort was made to hinder the crossing. Few people are willing to risk the life of their king! Alexander however insisted and the crossing was made, so anxious was he to visit his young wife. Too much powdered rhino horn perhaps? In the darkness he became separated from his guide and disappeared. He was found, dead, near Pettycur, the next morning by the rocky shore. His horse had stumbled, or perhaps he went over the outcrop in the dark. The King was buried with due ceremony in Dunfermline Abbey.
was no Alexander and he bowed the knee to the English King becoming known thereafter as 'However the death of such a strong King led to trouble for Scotland. His only named heir, his grand-daughter, Margaret, was drowned in 1290 when the ship bringing her to Scotland went down in a storm. With no obvious heir infighting returned and Edward I the bullying imperialist of England, made his grab for Scotland, which he regarded, for no good reason, as his! With the crowning of John Balliol, on St Andrews Day, 30th November 1292, Edward had his way. Balliol Toom Tabard, the 'empty coat.' Edward attempted to occupy Scotland, giving rise to the noble defence by Sir William Wallace and others, leading in time to Scotland's independence being restored by King Robert the Bruce a few years later. Had Alexander been less keen on his lady Scotland would have been a very different place. Edward may have attacked but with such a popular King it is unlikely he would have been successful. Either way, the nation would have been a different place.
Links:-
Marriage Document of the 'Maid of Norway.'
