[MR] Wikipedia: Death of Alexander III of Scotland

[Garth Groff via Atlantia]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots:

On this date in 1286, Alexander III, King of the Scots, died after a 
fall from his horse.

Alexander was a powerful and successful king, having won title (if not 
real control) of the Hebrides and the Isle of Man from Haakon of Norway. 
However, all of his children died during his reign, leaving the 
succession to his infant grand-daughter Margaret, the Maid of Norway.

Alexander's real weakness seems to have been carnal, and he built up 
quite a reputation as a womanizer. On the night of 19 March he left 
Edinburgh for Kinghorn, hoping to . . . uh . . . spend the next day with 
his new queen Yolande de Dreux. Somehow he fell from his horse during 
the night, and was found the next day with a broken neck. The Guardians 
of Scotland arranged to have the 7-year old Margaret brought back from 
Norway, but she died on the voyage in 1290.

Without a clear succession, 14 contenders put forward claims to the 
throne in what was known as "The Great Cause". To avoid civil war, the 
Guardians of Scotland turned to Edward I of England, in whom they saw an 
impartial judge. Bad move for Scotland! He chose John Balliol, a weak 
and ineffective ruler who Edward expected to control. King John showed 
some backbone by concluding the treaty of mutual defense with France 
known as the Auld Alliance. Edward in his fury arrested Balliol, 
publicly stripped him of his regalia, and assumed personal rule of 
Scotland. This led to the First War of Scottish Independence, and the 
rise of heroes like William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce. Bad move 
for England!

You can read more about Alexander at 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_III_of_Scotland . For more on 
the "Great Cause" see 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competitors_for_the_Crown_of_Scotland .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Proud Scot