King Alexander III of Scotland

Alexander III was King of Alba (Scotland) from 6 July 1249 until his death. Born at Roxburgh, he was the only son of Alexander II and Marie de Coucy. He became king at the age of seven after his father's death and was inaugurated at Scone on 13 July 1249. His early reign involved a power struggle between factions led by Walter Comyn and Alan Durward.

In 1251, Alexander married Margaret of England, daughter of King Henry III, but he did not comply with demands for homage to England. Upon reaching majority in 1262, he pursued claims over the Western Isles, leading to conflict with Norway. The Battle of Largs in 1263 was indecisive, but Norway's King Haakon IV died shortly after, and the Treaty of Perth in 1266 ceded the Western Isles and Isle of Man to Scotland.

Alexander's first wife, Margaret, died in 1275, and he spent a decade as a widower before marrying Yolande of Dreux in 1285. His reign faced succession issues after the deaths of his children, leading to his granddaughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, being named heir. Alexander's second marriage aimed to secure a male heir, but his untimely death left his realm in uncertainty.

Alexander III died at the age of 44 from a fall from his horse while traveling in the dark to visit Queen Yolande. He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey. His granddaughter Margaret was the heir, but she died before being crowned.