King Alexander III and the ‘Golden Age’

• Ruled from the age of 8 (1249 - 1286)• A very strong King

– Scotland was at peace with England

– Controlled the nobles and dealt fairly with his subjects

– Trade increased and towns and burghs prospered

– Scotland’s northern and western borders were fixed

Alexander III’s family tree

• 1275 Alexander III’s wife Margaret(English princess) died

William I the Lion (1165-1214)

Alexander II (1214-1249)

Alexander III (1249 -1286)

Margaret mEric II(King of Norway)

Alexander David

Margaret, Maid of Norway

(1) Margaret m m (2) Yolande

• All 3 of Alexander’s children died before him

• Alexander remarries Yolande Dreux and hoped that she would provide him a male heir to the throne.

18 March 1286

• Alexander III was having a meeting with his Grand Council in Edinburgh

• After the meeting the King travelled back to Kinghorn in Fife to be with Yolande

Kinghorn

Edinburgh

The Journey• Violent storm was raging

• Headed for Dalmeny to cross the Firth of Forth

• Advised against the 2 mile crossing

• At Inverkeithing he was offered a bed for the night but refused

• He continued his journey with 2 guides along a narrow seashore path• In the darkness Alexander lost his guides

The following morning...

• Alexander’s body was found at the bottom of a cliff

Memorial to King Alexander III, Kinghorn

How the Scots felt...

When Alexander our King was dead, That Scotland ruled in love and lee Away was wealth of ale and bread, Of wine and wax, or game and glee Our gold was changed into lead. Then cry to God, for only He Can save us in perplexity.

The Next Heir?William I the Lion

(1165-1214)

Alexander II (1214-1249)

Alexander III (1249 -1286)

Margaret mEric II(King of Norway)

Alexander David

Margaret, Maid of Norway

(1) Margaret m m (2) Yolande

Margaret the Maid of NorwayProblems.....

Nor

way

3 years old

Female

Finding a suitable husband