Alexander II, King of Scots, often referred to as Scotland's Alexander the Great for his complete unification of Scotland as one country during his lifetime. His methods were successful yet brutal, uniting all the kingdoms under one crown; the unified Scotland that we proudly hail from today.
And yet within two generations his dynasty would be wiped out when his son died leaving his only living heir being his granddaughter Margaret aka the Maid of Norway who tragically died on route to Scotland, dying in the Orkney Isles, ending the Dunkeld line for good.
What followed was one of Scotland's most famous and bloody periods in history, the Scottish Wars of Independence, almost tearing the newly unified country apart. Yet why were there no direct descendants to call upon as next in line? Was this karma for a King's ambitions and his brutality towards his own kin? In both cases it came down to the last in line being an innocent girl who's death paved the way for Edward I to make his bid for the Scottish throne.
The 'Canmore' Dunkelds:
The Dunkeld dynasty first gained power through Duncan I, who died in battle at Bothnagowan, now Pitgaveny, near Elgin, though his actual history has been forever overshadowed by Shakespeare's MacBeth, depicted as murdered by Macbeth to become King only to be bested by Duncan's son Malcolm III who was followed by four of his sons one after the other. The last was David I, who was succeeded by his grandson Malcolm IV - remembered as the weak and infertile.
His brother, William 'the Lion', then succeeded and exceeded him as a ruler, making his mark in ways we still recognize today; through his allegiance with France, creating the 'Auld Alliance' which gave Scots dual citizenship until the 20th century; he also gave us Scotland's Royal Standard, the red lion against the yellow backdrop that we still proudly hail to this day. He left a success story for his son, Alexander II to continue and to build upon.
The MacWilliams (Meic Uilleim):
The MacWilliams (Meic Uilleim):
Descended from William Fitz Duncan, son of Duncan II, this branch held a claim to the royal house of Dunkeld though they were excluded by royal decree. They became a thorn in the side of Scots Kings as they stirred up numerous rebellions, causing discord through titles that they had been given by David I as Earl of Moray, concession for giving up their claim to the Scottish throne.
A fair trade, except for the fact that the King changed his mind and kept the lands. William Fitz Duncan's son Domnall decided to fight for his right to his earldom, his efforts ending in death, defeated by William III. Despite this, the MacWilliams line didn't give up, the rebellions carrying on another two or three generations before it's inevitable conclusion under Alexander II.
In The End:
Alexander II had already experienced the rebellious nature of his distant family creating rebellions again and again; and he'd had enough. The final revolt, disputed to have happened between 1224-25 or 1228-29, ended with the MacWillaims Gille Escob (Gillscop) and his sons all wiped out with the help of the Comyn family, leaving only a baby girl as the last of their line. An article written in 'Lanercost Chronicle at the time said it best:
'And after the enemy had been successfully overcome, a somewhat too cruel vengeance was taken for the blood of the slain: the MacWilliam's daughter, who had not long left her mother's womb, innocent as she was, was put to death, in the burgh of Forfar, in view of the market-place, after a proclamation by the public crier, her head was struck against the column of the [market] cross and her brains dashed out. Yet god says, to the contrary effect, "Sons shall not be slain for their fathers..."'
It sent the simple message that Alexander was the undisputed King of Scotland. He united Scotland as one nation but within two generations his own dynasty died out with the little princess Margaret of Norway, leaving no direct heir to the throne.
Did karma come back to haunt Alexander II by ending his line?
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