King Alexander III and the Golden Age

1
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
• Scotlands northern and western borders were
  fixed

2
Alexander IIIs family tree
William I the Lion (1165-1214)
Alexander II (1214-1249)
(1) Margaret m
m (2) Yolande
Alexander III (1249 -1286)
Margaret m
Eric II (King of Norway)
Alexander
David
Margaret, Maid of Norway

• 1275 Alexander IIIs wife Margaret(English
  princess) died

• All 3 of Alexanders children died before him

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

3
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
4
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

5
The following morning...

• Alexanders body was found at the bottom of a
  cliff

Memorial to King Alexander III, Kinghorn
6
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.
7
The Next Heir?
William I the Lion (1165-1214)
Alexander II (1214-1249)
(1) Margaret m
m (2) Yolande
Alexander III (1249 -1286)
Margaret m
Eric II (King of Norway)
Alexander
David
Margaret, Maid of Norway
8
Margaret the Maid of Norway
Problems.....
3 years old
Norway
Female
?
Finding a suitable husband