Ultimately, it would lead to war with Edward I of England. Margaret took ill en route from Norway and died in Orkney in October 1290. Eventually, an agreement was made Margaret would marry the Crown Prince of England, but with the stipulation that Scotland would retain its independence. If she married a Scottish noble it might incite a civil war. If she married a foreign prince, Scotland would fall under foreign control. There were all kinds of implications about who the child would marry. This left his daughter, little Margaret, as heir to the throne, but she was three-years-old and lived in Norway. Yolande had been carrying Alexander’s child, and apparently she miscarried soon afterwards. Repercussions from the Death of Alexander III It seemed that his horse had lost its footing in the darkness throwing Alexander down a rocky embankment, where he broke his neck. The following morning the King’s body was found. Somewhere near Kinghorn, the king became separated from his party. Le saucier is reputed to have said, “My Lord, what are you doing out in such weather and darkness? How many times have I tried to persuade you that midnight travel will do you no good?” Ignoring the warnings, Alexander set off with his retinue and two local guides. At Inverkeithing, the nobles accompanying him and a local burgess, Alexander Le Saucier, tried to persuade him to spend the night. The king rode out into the darkness, crossing the Firth of Forth from Delmeny to Inverkeithing. As a viscious storm was raging, the nobles implored him not to go into the night. After the meeting the young King was keen to return to Dunfermline Palace, for it would be his wife’s birthday on the following day. On the 19th of March 1286, Alexander spent the evening at Edinburgh Castle celebrating his second marriage and overseeing a meeting with his royal advisors. There was nothing for it he would have to wed once more! Thus, on 1 November 1285, he married Yolande de Dreux. His sole heir was his granddaughter, Margaret ‘Maid of Norway’. With no male heir, the question of succession was important. All three children died within the space of four years. Margaret died when she was thirty-five years old, leaving Alexander with three children–Margaret who married Eric II of Norway, Alexander and David. His bride was only a year older than him. Alexander’s FamilyĪlexander III was first married as a ten-year-old boy, to Margaret, Daughter of Henry III of England. Subsequently, in 1266 Norway relinquished their claims to Scotland’s Western Isles with the Treaty of Perth. He died in Orkney on the 15th of December 1263. Haakon had no option but to turn and sail homewards. During this attack, King Haakon of Norway’s naval fleet was badly damaged in a storm. Notable events during his reign included the Battle of Largs in October 1263. Young Alexander was inaugurated on the Stone of Destiny at Scone on the 13th of July 1249. Who was Alexander IIIĪlexander III became king at the age of seven when his father, Alexander II died in 1249. Perhaps more significantly, it would plunge Scotland into war with her ‘auld’ enemy- England. This brought an end to the House of Dunkeld, the Scottish Kings who could trace their lineage back to Malcolm Canmore, the King who slew MacBeth. What did this mean? Was it a portent of impending death? Four months later, Alexander lay dead on Kinghorn Beach. But there was nothing there… The guests made a hasty retreat, leaving Alexander alone with his new bride. The guards rushed forward, piercing the skeleton with their spears. What kind of mockery was this at his wedding feast? He gave an order. White bones had been painted with horrific realism on a black background. A gasp of horror rippled through the revellers. Thousands of candles lit the hall and the numerous guests danced to the music. This was a grand affair and a masked ball had been organised by the king. Wine flowed freely in the Great Hall of Jedburgh Castle. Alexander III, King of Scots’ wedding to Yolande de Dreux was unforgettable.
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