Alexander II of Scotland (24 August 1198-6 July 1249) was King of Scotland from 4 December 1214 to 6 July 1249, succeeding William the Lion and preceding Alexander III of Scotland.
Biography[]
Alexander was born in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland on 24 August 1198, the son of William the Lion and Ermengarde de Beaumont. He succeeded his father in 1214, and he speedily crushed rebellions by the MacWilliam and MacHeth clans in 1215. He also supported the rebellious English barons in their struggle against King John of England, leading to the sacking of Berwick-upon-Tweed as John's forces ravaged the north. In 1216, Alexander paid homage to Prince Louis of France, the barons' candidate for King of England, but his armies were forced to retreat into Scotland after the Pope and English aristocracy recognized Henry III of England as king on John's death. Peace was concluded in 1217, and Alexander married Henry's sister Joan of England. In 1222, he subjugated Argyll, and he crushed a revolt in Galloway in 1235 without difficulty. In 1249, he died while on the way to subjugate the Norwegian-held islands to the north of Scotland.