Following the death of King Alexander III of Scotland, his granddaughter Margaret, known as the Maid of Norway, was set to become Queen. However, many opposed this due to her young age, gender, and the fact she had never been to Scotland. Eventually, a plan was made where Margaret would come to Scotland and rule as Queen, but be advised by six regents until she was older. She was also to marry the son of King Edward I of England to avoid conflict. But Margaret died before this could happen, leaving Scotland without a clear heir and increasing the threat of civil war.

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
The
Maid of
Norway

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Explain why many people opposed
Margaret becoming Scotland’s Queen
• Describe the arrangements which
were to make Margaret the Queen of
Scotland
The Maid of Norway

3. Following the death of King Alexander III, his only
blood relative, Margaret, Maid of Norway, was to
become Scotland’s Queen.
The Maid of Norway

4. Margaret, who was born in
1283, was the child of King
Alexander’s only daughter,
who was also called
Margaret.
The child Margaret was the
daughter of the King of
Norway, Eric II. This gave
her the nickname the Maid
of Norway.
The Maid of Norway

5. King Alexander III had
made his nobles agree that
his granddaughter would
be Queen, if the King
should die without having
another heir.
Although this was agreed,
many did not want
Margaret to become
Scotland’s Queen.
The Maid of Norway

6. There were many reasons
that people opposed
Margaret becoming Queen
of Scotland.
One problem was the fact
that she was a woman.
Many people opposed the
idea of a female ruler,
believing that women were
not capable of the role.
The Maid of Norway

7. Another problem with
being female concerned
battles.
One job of a King is to lead
his knights and soldiers
into fights. However as
women were not expected
to do this it was argued
they could not then be the
country’s leader.
The Maid of Norway

8. Other people worried
about Margaret’s age.
In March 1286 she was too
young to lead, and many
children died before they
became adults.
Her youth also made her a
possible target for
kidnapping too.
The Maid of Norway

9. Some people expressed
concerns about Margaret’s
marriage.
Scottish nobles would be
angry if she married
someone from another
Scottish family. But equally
if she married a foreigner
this could lead to Scotland
being controlled.
The Maid of Norway

10. It was also argued that
Margaret knew nothing
about life in Scotland.
She had born and raised in
Norway, and had never
ever been to Scotland.
Many people queried how
she could then become the
country’s leader.
The Maid of Norway

11. Throughout this period
there was a real worry that
Scotland might fall into a
bloody civil war.
Many Scottish nobles
(especially the Bruce and
Balliol families) believed
they should have the
throne, and would fight to
get control of it.
The Maid of Norway

12. Eventually a plan was
agreed to stop a war.
Margaret would come to
Scotland and be the
Queen. Until she was old
enough to run the country
herself, Scotland would be
controlled by six regents,
known as the Guardians of
Scotland.
The Maid of Norway

13. Another part of the deal
concerned her marriage.
To stop arguments caused
by her marrying a Scottish
noble, Margaret was to
marry the King of England’s
son, also called Edward.
The English King would
then provide advice too.
The Maid of Norway

14. To seal this agreement with
England, the two countries
signed the Treaty of
Birgham (also called the
Treaty of Salisbury) in 1290.
This was a legal contract
which set out the terms of
the marriage between
Margaret and Edward.
The Maid of Norway

15. The Treaty also said that:
• Margaret would be
Scotland’s Queen
• Scotland would remain
an independent
country, separate from
England
• Scots would not have to
pay taxes to England
The Maid of Norway

16. Further terms stated that:
• The Scottish and English
Churches would not be
joined together
• Scotland’s borders
would remain the same
• Scots would continue to
follow Scottish law
The Maid of Norway

17. Ultimately though the
Treaty of Birgham would
never be enacted, nor
would Margaret become
Scotland’s Queen.
In 1290, as she sailed to
Scotland, Margaret became
ill. She died after her boat
stopped in Orkney
(possibly of pneumonia).
The Maid of Norway

18. The death of Margaret
caused a whole new series
of problems for Scotland.
The prospect of civil war
was now a very real
possibility as there was no
legitimate heir to lead
Scotland. Others feared
that England may simply
try to take control.
The Maid of Norway

19. With the threat of war
being the biggest worry,
some Scots had a solution.
The Guardians of Scotland
approached King Edward
of England and asked him
to arbitrate on who should
be Scotland’s new king.
Edward agreed to this
request.
The Maid of Norway