Early death and internal disputes in those days were common place. Alexander III (1249-1286) was at logger-heads with Edward the Longshanks, and was forging a relationship with the King of Norway Erik II in order to keep the peace. Alexander's wife Margaret had three children, so it seemd the heir to his throne would be his eldest son also named Alexander. Unfortunately for this royal family lady luck had finally turned her head.

Margaret died in 1275 at the age of 35, her eldest son Alexander (the heir) died in 1284. His brother David had passed away three years earlier and only two years after the death of young Alexander he was swiftly followed by Alexander III's daughter who had been married to Eric II King of Norway in 1281, obviously in an attempt to create a bond and subsequently peace. When Alexander heard of his daughter's death in Norway, he realised that he had no heir and announced that he had to get married - and quickly.

He married Yolande, daughter of the Count of Dreux in 1284. However in 1286 after a rather routine council meeting in Edinburgh Castle, and probably fired up with a few goblets of French wine, he decided to go and pay his young wife a visit. On his way there he was blown off his horse by a stormy wind and fell down a cliff to his death. The long and successful reign of Alexander III was over. Immediately his death was announced, Yolande, his second wife followed with an announcement of her own saying that she was pregnant. After a few months patiently waiting to see if she was telling the truth, it became clear that she wasn't pregnant and therefore would never produce an heir to Alexander III.

Alexander's daughter, Margaret, who had been married to the King of Norway had a daughter, surprisingly enough her name was also Margaret. Known as 'The Maid of Norway' Alexander's only surviving blood relative was this small child. She was 3 years old when the crown of Scotland fell on her head.

The situation in Scotland was desperate to say the least. Their queen was a three year old girl called Margaret, and she was hundreds of miles away in Norway residing with her father the King of Norway who was only 16 years old himself.

This is the time in Scotland's history when the Guardians of Scotland took control. Both the family of Bruce and the Balliol's claimed their right to the throne, saying that they were descended from the line of David I (1124 - 1153, son of Alexander I). Civil war in Scotland was just around the corner, and the two most powerful families, namely Bruce and Balliol began to seize castles and territory of strategic value.

And this is where Longshanks comes in to play stronger than ever before. It was clear that only one man had the authority and power to restore the Scottish throne. If either the Bruce's or the Balliol's could gain the support of Longshanks then the other would have to bow down and accept the ruling. The only questions were, what would be Longshank's price? and what would his decision be?

With Longshank's usual cunning and educated ways he set about putting in place England's terms, Margaret 'The Maid of Norway' and the ' Damsel of Scotland' was to succeed the throne as was her birth right. However she was to marry Longshanks' son, Edward. Scotland would remain independent and completely separate from England according to its rightful boundaries, free and without subjection. This was all very well, but Longshanks' Clerks inserted into the agreement reservations which undermined Scottish Independence.

Longshanks prepared his ships and sent them on their way to collect the 3 year old Queen of Scotland from Norway. He prepared his son Edward, who was only 6 years old himself, for marriage. The ships laden with sweetmeats, rich fruits and 28 pounds of gingerbread designed to keep the young infant happy on her long voyage to England. One month later the ships returned and had failed in their task to bring the young girl across the sea. Erik II King of Norway had decided it best to actually send his daughter to Scotland via the Islands of Orkney and Shetland (which he still ruled at that time), but during the long voyage her frail and delicate constitution couldn't withstand the stormy seas and she died before upon reaching Orkney - never having even set foot on Scottish soil.

The long and successful house of Dunkeld, the ancient Scottish dynasty which had reigned since Duncan I in 1043 after the line had been passed to him form the first house of Scotland, the house of Alpin, was now over.

With the death of Margaret 'Damsel of Scotland' on 26th September 1290, the ideas and principals which Longshanks had just laid out came to an end - a new King for Scotland had to be found. A letter was written by Bishop Fraser to Longshanks informing him of the young Queens death, and requesting that he come to Scotland and put in place one of the rival houses - either Bruce or Balliol. The letter informed him that John Balliol wanted to meet, and if chosen would follow Longshanks' council and pay him homage: meaning that he would rule Scotland under English superiority. But the letter also hinted to Longshanks to handle John Balliol with great care and if he did place John Balliol on the throne of Scotland and support his claim he would have to deal firmly not only with him but also with the disgruntled Bruce's, who might see fit as to wage war. It was a difficult time and Longshanks had to make sure that his new plans would still give him the opportunity to unite Scotland and England and make England the ruling home.

Between 1290 and 1292 Longshanks played a long and careful hand. This two year period of Interregnum was great credit to the now passed 'House of Dunkeld' since neither family were prepared to take to the sword and agreed that the matter could be handled within legal proceedings at court. Both families, Bruce and Balliol, claimed there decent from the line of David I's daughters. The Balliol claim was form David's eldest daughter, also called Margaret - and the Bruce claim was from the second daughter of David I, Isabel.

However, as price of mediation between these two houses, Longshanks placed himself in the position as 'Overlord of the land of Scotland' according to the highest legal principles. Longshanks, the future 'Hammer of the Scots' insisted that all those who claimed the right to the throne would adhere to certain rules. They must accept the judgment of the court and they must accept him as their feudal superior.

This would give Longshanks the superiority that he thought he always deserved, and lay the foundations for 'his' United Kingdom!