Scottish Wars of Independence - king alexander iii

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
King
Alexander
III

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe events from the life and
death of King Alexander III
King Alexander III

3. Alexander III was king of Scotland between 1249 and
1286. His death led to a number of problems for the
Scotland, and started the Wars of Independence.
King Alexander III

4. In 1249, Alexander III
became king at the age of
eight (but a regent, Alan
Durward, ran the country
until Alexander was old
enough to do so).
Alexander married
Margaret, the King of
England’s daughter, when
he was age 10.
King Alexander III
Alan Durward’s coat-of-arms

5. Alexander’s rule is
remembered as a
successful time for
Scotland.
The country had a strong
economy, good relations
with England and, after the
Battle of Largs, took back
control of the Western
Isles from Norway.
King Alexander III

6. Alexander suffered a great
deal of tragedy in his life.
His wife, Margaret died as
did his three children
(Margaret, Alexander and
David).
In 1284 when his last child
died, the King chose his
granddaughter Margaret
as his heir.
King Alexander III

7. Margaret, Maid of Norway,
was the daughter of the
King of Norway. She was
only one at this time and
too young to be Queen.
King Alexander married
again in 1285 (to Yolande
de Dreux) so that he might
have a male heir to replace
him after his death.
King Alexander III

8. In March 1286, Alexander
had a meeting at
Edinburgh Castle. After
this he travelled to Fife to
celebrate the birthday of
his new wife.
There was a terrible storm
on the night Alexander
travelled. His aides begged
him not to travel.
King Alexander III

9. Alexander managed to
make a ferry journey across
the River Forth.
While travelling by horse to
Kinghorn, Alexander was
separated from his guides.
The next day his body was
found at the bottom of a
cliff. He had a broken neck.
King Alexander III

10. Scotland was now without
a King. There was a chance
of civil war as many of the
country’s nobles wanted to
be the new king.
However it was agreed that
the crown would pass to
Alexander’s granddaughter,
Margaret, who would be
Scotland's new Queen.
King Alexander III

11. Margaret was aged only
two. Six Guardians were
appointed to run Scotland
until she was old enough to
do so.
King Edward of England
would provide guidance
too. It was also agreed that
Margaret would marry
Edward’s son.
King Alexander III