Following the death of King Alexander III of Scotland, the country faced a succession crisis as he had no immediate heirs. His only descendant was his infant granddaughter Margaret, who lived in Norway. Though she was intended to inherit the throne, many Scottish nobles opposed having a female or foreign ruler. This led to civil war between noble families who wanted the crown for themselves. To prevent war, Scotland agreed that Margaret would marry Prince Edward of England's son, but she died en route to Scotland. This sparked renewed conflict until the Scottish nobles granted Edward I of England the role of choosing Scotland's new king from among 13 claimants, though this gave him power over Scotland. He chose John Balliol, but Edward continued asserting control

1. Scottish Wars of Independence
The
Succession
Problem

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Explain why Scotland faced problems
after the death of King Alexander III
The Succession Problem

3. Following the death of King Alexander III, Scotland
faced a variety of problems, not least in the selection
of a new leader for the country.
The Succession Problem

4. The Succession Problem
started even before
Alexander III’s death.
His wife and children –
especially his sons – were
all dead. This meant that
Alexander’s only blood
relative was his baby
granddaughter Margaret,
who lived in Norway.
The Succession Problem

5. Alexander remarried (to
Yolande de Dreux) in the
hope of having another
son that would one day
lead the country.
However, in 1286, and
before he had another
child, Alexander died after
falling from his horse and
breaking his neck.
The Succession Problem

6. Before his death,
Alexander had secured
agreement from Scotland’s
nobles that his
granddaughter Margaret
would become Queen.
This was in the event that
Alexander did not have any
more children, which he
did not.
The Succession Problem

7. Even with this agreement,
after Alexander’s death
many nobles still did not
want Margaret to become
the Queen.
This was for various
reasons, including the fact
that she was a woman, and
also could not lead the
Scots into battle.
The Succession Problem

8. Other worries about
Margaret were due to her
age, which made her a
target for kidnapping.
Other Scots were
concerned about her
marriage, whether she
married into a rival Scottish
family or instead married a
foreigner.
The Succession Problem

9. In this climate, civil war
was a possibility.
Many powerful Scottish
families – including the
Bruces and Balliols –
believed they should
instead become King.
This could lead to a war
between the Scots.
The Succession Problem

10. To avoid the war, the Scots
reached a deal with King
Edward of England.
Under the Treaty of
Birgham, Prince Edward of
England, was to marry
Margaret. In return
Scotland would keep its
independence and not pay
taxes to England.
The Succession Problem

11. However before any
marriage could take place,
Margaret had to come to
Scotland.
In 1290 she was making
her way to Scotland and
took ill during the voyage.
The boat stopped in
Orkney however she died,
possibly from pneumonia.
The Succession Problem

12. Margaret’s death again
created the possibility of
civil war as rival families
fought to be crowned King
of Scotland.
Instead the Guardians of
Scotland asked King
Edward of England if he
would choose a new king
for the country.
The Succession Problem

13. Before Edward made a
decision he demanded that
the Guardians accept him
as Scotland’s Overlord (its
rightful ruler).
However the Guardians
avoided agreeing by saying
that only a king could make
such an agreement, and
Scotland didn’t have one.
The Succession Problem

14. Edward then asked that all
the men who wanted to be
Scotland’s king travel to
Norham Castle (in
England).
Edward said he would only
choose them as king if they
agreed to him being
Overlord. All candidates
eventually did this.
The Succession Problem

15. The Scots were angry at
Edward’s demands, but felt
they had no choice.
If any candidate refused to
accept Edward as Overlord,
he would simply not
choose them. They were
also worried about
provoking a war with a
much stronger England.
The Succession Problem

16. The contest to choose a
new King for Scotland was
known as the Great Cause.
13 men put forward their
name as candidate for
Scotland’s crown.
The decision was made
based on assessing family
links to the throne.
The Succession Problem

17. The 13 Great Cause
candidates included:
• Robert Bruce
• John Hastings
• John Balliol
• John Comyn
• Eric II of Norway
The Succession Problem

18. It took a great deal of time
to choose a new king.
Edward was asked in 1290
to make a decision, but it
was 1292 before Scotland
had its new King.
John Balliol was chosen,
based on his having the
strongest family claim.
The Succession Problem

19. Scotland’s problems did
not end with the choice of
Balliol as King.
Edward used his position
as Overlord to control
Balliol and Scotland.
Other claimants also did
their best to undermine
Balliol’s leadership.
The Succession Problem