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
William I the Lion
(1165-1214)
Alexander II
(1214-1249)
(1) Margaret m Alexander III
m (2) Yolande
(1249 -1286)
Margaret m Eric II
(King of Norway)
Alexander
David
Margaret, Maid of Norway
• 1275 Alexander III’s wife Margaret(English princess) died
• 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)
(1) Margaret m Alexander III
m (2) Yolande
(1249 -1286)
Margaret m Eric II
(King of Norway)
Margaret, Maid of Norway
Alexander
David
Margaret the Maid of Norway
Problems.....
3 years old
Female
Finding a suitable
husband