Alexander III: King of Scots

by Marion Campbell

An up-to-date biography of Alexander III, 1249-1286, highlighting in particular his achievements and success in establishing a strong and independent Scottish nation. Detailed and clearly written, with a useful set of appendices adding clarity to dating sequences and inventories.

Genres: History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Marion Campbell was born in 1919 and her life was centred on her native Argyllshire, where Kilberry Castle had been the family home for four centuries. Most of her writing concentrated on the theme of Argyll's past and she was well known as a field archaeologist.

As the author of Argyll:The Enduring Heartland she made a major contribution to the history of the area and as a gifted novelist she demonstrated her deep insight into many aspects of Scottish history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book about the last of the Canmore kings whose successor was a frail girl who died before she made it to Scotland. Alexander’s relationship with Henry III of England is closely followed as Henry became Alexander’s father-in-law. Henry may not have been the best of kings, but he was an attentive father and worried about his children’s welfare, especially his daughter, Margaret, who became Queen of Scots at such an early age.
The genealogical tables were wonderful in keeping track of who’s who, legitimate and otherwise, as far as political upheavals were concerned. Queen Margaret had given Scotland two sons and a daughter, unfortunately they all predeceased their father and Alexander’s Golden Age and night ride to death would lead to competition for the Scottish throne, the magnates invitation to Edward I of England to chose their king and the War of Independence.

[William Shep · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry, but a very credible biography of one of Scotland's better though now mostly unknown kings. Alexander was a notable leader who settled the Norwegian question with a mix of force and diplomacy, adding the western isles to Scotland's domain and presiding over a long period of peace with England. It was also Alexander's sudden and accidental death in 1286 that left Scotland without a male, adult heir, with a resulting plunge into decades of chaos and war (and the emergence of Scotland's timeless heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

[Graeme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thorough account of dynastic politics in Western Europe during the reign of Alexander III. Unfortunately, the paucity of documentary evidence relating to Scotland in the period means that we learn far more about the characters and competences of Henry III of England and his formidable son, Edward, than we do about the King of Scots. I found the chapter on A Century of Skills and Visions the most interesting.