(1241–86)
King of Scotland from 1249, son of Alexander II. Betrothed at the age of one to the daughter of *Henry III of England, and only seven when he inherited the Scottish throne, he was at first just a pawn in the frustrated efforts of Henry to take control of Scotland. Alexander's reign was later seen as the last in which Scotland had both independence and prosperity, before a prolonged period of warfare with England. He died after being thrown from his horse during a night journey. All his children had predeceased him, so he was succeeded by his 4-year-old granddaughter, Margaret the Maid of Norway (see the *royal house of Scotland).
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