Today in 1251 Alexander III, the King of Scots, was married to Margaret, the daughter of Henry III, King of England, in York.
King Henry demanded Alexander pay homage after his marriage, but he refused. Margaret provided him with three heirs, but she died young. All three of Alexander's children also pre-deceased him, and it was agreed that his grand-daughter Margaret, the 'Maid of Norway', would succeed him. He married again, seeking a male heir, through whom succession would be more sure. Alexander himself died young when he fell from a horse at Kinghorn in Fife. His grand-daughter, Margaret, died at sea on her way to claim the throne. Scotland was then left heirless, ultimately resulting in years of bloodshed at the hands of Edward I.
