SWOI SECTION A: Alexander III and the Succession Crisis Flashcards
When did Alexander III become king of Scotland?
1249, at 8 years old (after death of his father)
Who was his regent until he turned 21?
Alan Durward ran the country on his behalf
Why was Alexander’s time as king seen as successful for Scotland?
Increased jobs and (especially european) trade (wool to Flanders in Belgium) and he was a successful military leader
What battle was important in Alexander’s military conquests?
Battle of Largs in 1263, one of his father’s goals was to return the Western Isles to Scottish rule instead of Norwegian.
What happened after the Battle of Largs (1263) that meant areas across Scotland benefitted from increased trade?
Scots army invaded to the north, leading the Western Isles to be officially transferred to Alexander’s control.
How did Alexander ensure that Scotland and England enjoyed good relations?
Even when he was a boy, Alexander refused to pay homage to King Henry III (his father in law) and saw himself as an equal to him and his successor - Edward I. Edward and Alexander had known each other from a young age, Alexander agreed to pay homage for his lands in England but never in Scotland.
Why and who was Alexander’s only remaining relative?
Margaret, maid of Norway, his granddaughter. His wife, daughter of Henry III, died before him and so did all 3 of his children.
Who did he die trying to visit and why did he marry them? (include full details of his death, including where he was travelling to and how we was found)
Yolande de Dreux, a french woman from a powerful family. He travelled to visit his new bride in Kinghorn in Fife, he was found at the bottom of a cliff (with his horse) dead.
Was Yolande de Dreux pregnant?
No, it was believed she may have been but it was proved she was not. Some accounts suggest miscarriage or stillbirth.
What was feared if Scotland could not find a new monarch?
Civil war or English control
What met and where to decide what should happen after Alexander’s death?
A parliament met in Scone to discuss what should happen. Margaret was the King’s only living relative and many were opposed to her leadership.
What were the problems with Margaret and how did Alexander prevent his nobles from rejecting her claim to the throne?
Her age (2/3 at the time,) high child mortality rates, the fact she was a Norwegian royal, the need for a regent and having a woman on the throne. In 1284 Alexander made his nobles swear to accept Margaret as queen if he had no more children
Why did Guardians run Scotland (and based on what)
Because choosing only one regent could have caused war, and the Guardians ran Scotland based on the concept of community of the realm.
Name the two key figures that were not guardians, and what they both feared
Robert Bruce and John Balliol. Scotland was still divided between their supporters and Bruce even took military action against Balliol’s supporters. Both feared the other getting the throne based on Margaret’s marriage.
Who took an interest in Scottish events and what was his supposed solution to the succession crisis (remember the crisis is on going)
King Edward (I) his solution to further prevent civil war in Scotland was to marry his young son, Edward (later Edward II) to Margaret, maid of Norway.
