Margaret, Maid of Norway Flashcards
Who was Margaret?
Granddaughter of Alexander III.
Why was Margaret chosen as heir?
To avoid civil war between nobles and she was the closest living relative to Alexander III.
What promise did Alexander III make the nobles swear in 1284?
That they would accept Margaret as heir if he died without children.
Why was Margaret’s gender an issue?
Many believed a female monarch was unsuitable and could not effectively rule or lead an army.
Why was her age a concern?
Margaret was a child, so someone would need to rule on her behalf, which could cause rivalry among nobles.
Why did nobles worry about her marriage?
A Scottish husband could lead to noble rivalry, while a foreign husband could result in foreign control over Scotland.
Why was her living in Norway problematic?
She was seen as foreign, and her distance could lead to divided loyalties or foreign influence.
What risk did her status as a child and heir pose?
She could be kidnapped by a noble seeking control over Scotland.
What did opponents like Bruce believe?
That they had a stronger claim to the throne and opposed Margaret’s rule.
Why did some nobles fear her inability to rule?
Margaret might fail to control powerful nobles, risking civil war or unrest.
