Marie de Coucy

Marie de Coucy became Queen of Scotland through her marriage to King Alexander II and was part of the royal council during the final two years of her son King Alexander III’s minority from 1260 to 1262. Born to Lord Enguerrand III of Coucy and Marie de Montmirel, she was a descendant of King Louis VI of France. Her marriage in 1238 to Alexander II was seen as a strategic alliance between France and Scotland against English claims of sovereignty over Scotland.

After the death of Alexander II in 1249, Marie ensured the swift coronation of her son, Alexander III. Although not appointed as regent, she was actively involved in Scottish political life and returned to France periodically. Her second marriage to John of Brienne in 1257 ended in separation in 1268, after which she played a role in arranging her son’s second marriage. Marie made a pilgrimage to Canterbury in 1275-76 and died in 1285, leaving a lasting impact on the Franco-Scottish relations of the 13th century.