THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER AND THE SUCCESSION CRISIS

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THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER AND THE SUCCESSION CRISIS
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ALEXANDERS REIGN

• On the 9th March 1286 Alexander III was killed in
  an accident at Kinghorn.
• Alexanders long reign (1241-1286) was regarded
  as a golden age by many Scots.
• The earliest known piece of Scottish verse
  lamented
• When Alexander our King was dead,
• That Scotland led in love and law
• Away with plenty of ale and bread
• Of wine and wax, of game and glee.
• Our gold was changed into lead.
• Christ, born into Virginity,
• Help Scotland and remedy
• That stood is in perplexity.

The cliffs above Kinghorn where Alexander III
fell to his death.
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THE SUCCESSION PROBLEM

• All Alexanders children were dead.
• The heir was a small child, Margaret, Alexanders
  granddaughter.
• She lived in Norway.
• Alexander had persuaded the Scottish nobles to
  accept Margaret in 1284.
• Alexander had re-married but his premature death
  ended hopes of more heirs.

The Alexander memorial.
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• Primogeniture is a tradition
• When someone dies the first-born inherits the
  entirety of a parent's wealth
• or in the absence of children, relatives in order
  of seniority

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NEXT STEPS

• The maid was a minor.
• A council of 6 Guardians was formed.
• The council consisted of
• 2 Bishops
• 2 earls
• 2 Barons
• Drawn from North and South.
• The most powerful families in Scotland watched
  the situation carefully.
• The most important families were
• The Balliols
• The Comyns
• The Bruces

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EDWARD 1 INTERVENES

• Edward I agreed a marriage alliance between his
  son, Edward, and the Maid.
• In time their children would have united the 2
  countries.
• However, on the journey from Norway, the Maid
  died in the Orkney islands.
• The Guardians asked Edward I to assess the claims
  of the Competitors to the Scottish throne and
  make a choice.
• Their decision was based on the realities of
  English power and the wish to avoid civil war in
  Scotland.