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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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William
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(known as the Lion, 1143–1214) King of Scotland from 1165, when he succeeded his brother *Malcolm IV. After the murder of *Becket, he joined the sons of *Henry II in their rebellion against the English king. His own interest was in recovering Northumberland, but he was captured at Alnwick in 1174 and was released later that year only after agreeing to a humiliating treaty.
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By its terms William handed over castles as far north as Edinburgh and accepted that he held the crown of Scotland as a vassal of the English king; he eventually bought back these concessions in 1189 for a large payment to Henry's son, *Richard I, who was raising funds to go on crusade. Meanwhile he had pointedly founded an abbey at *Arbroath in honour of the martyred Becket. Within Scotland the royal authority was strengthened during his long reign. He was succeeded by his son *Alexander II (see the *royal house of Scotland).
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