Alexander III 1241-86
King of Scotland

In 1249 he succeeded his father, Alexander II, and in 1251 he married Princess Margaret (1240-75), eldest daughter of Henry III of England. He annexed the Hebrides and the Isle of Man after his defeat of King Haakon IV of Norway at Largs (1263) and the Treaty of Perth (1266). Scotland emerged as a European kingdom as a result of judicious marriage alliances with Norway and Flanders. The period between 1266 and the death of Queen Margaret (1275) has often been seen as a golden age for Scotland: factional politics had almost disappeared, the kingdom had been consolidated, the king's authority was unquestioned, and there was a considerable, favourable balance of trade. Alexander's lack of heirs prompted his marriage to Yolande, daughter of the Count of Dreux (1285), but he died shortly afterwards, leaving a disputed succession and causing renewed interference by England in Scottish affairs.