# Alexander III of Scotland

> King of Scots 1249–1286

**Wikidata**: [Q211109](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q211109)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_III_of_Scotland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-iii-of-scotland

## Summary
Alexander III of Scotland was a human monarch who reigned as the King of Scots from 1249 until his death in 1286. He is primarily known for being the last monarch of the House of Alpin to rule Scotland before the succession crisis that followed his death, which eventually led to the Wars of Scottish Independence. His reign marked a period of stability for the Kingdom of Scotland prior to the union that formed the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 4, 1241 (alternative date: September 11, 1241)
- **Nationality**: Scottish (Citizenship: Kingdom of Scotland)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as King of Scots from 1249 to 1286
- **Employer(s)**: Kingdom of Scotland (as Monarch)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Monarchy, Governance

## Contributions
Alexander III of Scotland's primary contribution was his leadership as the sovereign of the Kingdom of Scotland during a critical period of its history.
- **Reign as Monarch**: He ruled the Kingdom of Scotland from 1249 until 1286, maintaining the sovereignty of the state during his lifetime.
- **Stability of the Realm**: His reign is historically noted as a time preceding the major conflicts of the Wars of Scottish Independence, which occurred after his death.
- **Succession Context**: His death in 1286 triggered the "Competitors for the Crown of Scotland" succession dispute (1290–1292), a pivotal event in Scottish history that reshaped the nation's political landscape.
- **Historical Continuity**: As a member of the House of Alpin (implied by the timeline prior to the Stuart succession), he represented the continuity of the Scottish monarchy before the eventual union with England in 1707.

## FAQs
**When did Alexander III of Scotland rule?**
Alexander III reigned as King of Scots from 1249 until his death in 1286. This period represents a specific era in the history of the Kingdom of Scotland before the Wars of Scottish Independence intensified.

**What happened after Alexander III died?**
Following his death in 1286, a succession dispute known as the "Competitors for the Crown of Scotland" arose between 1290 and 1292. This crisis eventually led to the Wars of Scottish Independence, involving figures such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

**What was Alexander III's nationality and citizenship?**
He was a citizen of the Kingdom of Scotland, a historic sovereign kingdom located on the British Isles. The kingdom existed from the 9th century until it was dissolved in 1707 to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.

**Did Alexander III have any specific educational background recorded?**
The provided source material does not contain specific details regarding Alexander III's education, degrees, or institutions attended. The available data focuses on his reign, dates of birth and death, and his role as a monarch.

**How is Alexander III connected to the Wars of Scottish Independence?**
While Alexander III died before the major wars began, his death created a power vacuum that led to the succession crisis. This instability set the stage for the Wars of Scottish Independence, which included battles such as Bannockburn (1314) and involved leaders like Robert the Bruce.

## Why They Matter
Alexander III of Scotland matters because his reign represented the final stable period of the independent Kingdom of Scotland before the succession crisis that defined the next century of its history. His death in 1286 directly precipitated the "Competitors for the Crown of Scotland," a dispute that drew in external powers and led to the Wars of Scottish Independence. Without his specific reign and subsequent death, the timeline of Scottish sovereignty, the rise of figures like Robert the Bruce, and the eventual formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707 would have followed a different trajectory. He serves as a critical historical pivot point between the early medieval kingdom and the turbulent era of independence wars.

## Notable For
- **Reign Duration**: Serving as King of Scots for 37 years (1249–1286).
- **Succession Crisis**: Being the monarch whose death triggered the 1290–1292 succession dispute.
- **Historical Identity**: Being a human member of the genus *Homo sapiens* and a monarch of the Kingdom of Scotland.
- **Pre-Union Era**: Ruling the kingdom before the Acts of Union 1707 and the formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
- **Royal Lineage**: Representing the monarchy prior to the House of Stuart and the eventual union of the crowns in 1603.
- **Historical Records**: Being associated with specific identifiers such as the Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland and various library catalog numbers (e.g., P213, P214, P227).

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Alexander III was a human being, a unique extant species of the genus *Homo sapiens*. He was born in 1241, with specific dates recorded as either September 4 or September 11. He held citizenship in the Kingdom of Scotland, a historic sovereign kingdom on the British Isles. His primary identity was that of a monarch, a person at the head of a monarchy. He is also known by the aliases "Alexander III" and "Alasdair mac Alasdair."

### Reign as King of Scots
Alexander III served as the King of Scots from 1249 to 1286. During this time, the Kingdom of Scotland operated as a constitutional monarchy with Edinburgh as its capital. The currency used during his reign was the pound Scots. His rule occurred within the broader context of the Kingdom of Scotland's existence from the 9th century until 1707. As a monarch, he was involved in the political activities associated with group decisions, governance, and the exercise of power within the organized group of the Scottish state.

### Succession and Death
Alexander III died in 1286, with recorded dates of March 19 or March 26. His death was a pivotal moment in Scottish history, leading to the "Competitors for the Crown of Scotland" succession dispute between 1290 and 1292. This dispute involved various noble families and competitors vying for the throne. The instability following his death eventually contributed to the Wars of Scottish Independence, a war of national liberation.

### Historical Context and Legacy
The Kingdom of Scotland, which Alexander III ruled, was bordered by the Kingdom of England to the south and the Irish Sea to the west. The kingdom's capital, Edinburgh, served as the political, economic, and cultural center. The kingdom was eventually replaced by the Kingdom of Great Britain on May 1, 1707, following the Acts of Union 1707. Alexander III's reign is a significant chapter in the history of this sovereign state, which played a role in shaping the modern world through later events like the Industrial Revolution and the American Revolution, though these occurred after his time.

### Related Entities and Events
Alexander III's life and reign are connected to numerous historical entities and events. These include the "House of Stuart," a British royal house of Scottish origin, and the "Parliament of Scotland," the historical legislature until 1707. His era is distinct from later conflicts such as the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), the Battle of Dunbar (1296), and the Jacobite rebellions. Other related entities include the "Battle of Harlaw" (1411), the "Massacre of Glencoe" (1692), and the "Union of the Crowns" (1603). The kingdom's geography included areas like Perth, Kirkcaldy, Scone, and the Scottish Highlands, with notable locations such as Rothesay Castle and Melrose Abbey existing within its borders.

### Administrative and Cultural Details
The Kingdom of Scotland had a diverse landscape with mountains, forests, and coastal areas. The official languages included Scottish Gaelic, Scots, and English. The society was marked by a complex social hierarchy and a vibrant cultural scene. Alexander III's reign is part of the broader history that includes the "Davidian Revolution" and the "Davidian Revolution" changes in Scotland. The kingdom's military and political systems were characterized by the rivalry between political factions, though specific details of his personal political party affiliation are not detailed in the source, the general political landscape involved Whigs and Tories in later centuries.

### Identifiers and Archives
Alexander III is cataloged with numerous identifiers across various databases. These include P213 (0000000026982234), P214 (265288668), P227 (118980289), and P244 (n82156717). He is also associated with the Wikidata ID Q5 (instance of) and Q116 (occupation). His image is referenced as "Alexander III and Ollamh Rígh.JPG," and his coat of arms is "Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland.svg." He is listed in the "Peerage of Scotland" and associated with titles such as "Duke of Albany" and "Earl of Argyll" in the broader context of Scottish nobility.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Source
3. The Peerage
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. IdRef
9. CERL Thesaurus