Margaret of England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margaret of England |
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| Queen consort of Scots | |
| Tenure | 26 December 1251 – 26 February 1275 |
| Born | 29 September 1240 Windsor Castle |
| Died | 26 February 1275 (aged 34) Cupar Castle |
| Burial | Dunfermline Abbey, Fife |
| Spouse | |
| Issue more... |
Margaret, Queen of Norway Alexander, Prince of Scotland |
| House | Plantagenet |
| Father | Henry III of England |
| Mother | Eleanor of Provence |
Margaret of England (born September 29, 1240 – died February 26, 1275) was a queen of Scotland. She became Queen of Scots when she married King Alexander III.
Early Life and Royal Marriage
Margaret was the second child of King Henry III and his wife, Eleanor of Provence. She was born at Windsor Castle in England. When she was just three years old, Margaret appeared in public for the first time in London with her brother, who would later become King Edward I.
Her father, King Henry III, met with King Alexander II of Scotland in 1244. They met in Newcastle to make sure their countries stayed peaceful. During this meeting, it was decided that Margaret would marry Alexander II's son, the future Alexander III of Scotland. They became engaged that same year.
Margaret was only 11 years old when she married King Alexander III of Scotland. He was 10 years old. Their wedding took place on December 25, 1251, at York Minster in England. The young couple stayed in York until January of the next year. After that, they moved to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Life as Queen of Scotland
Margaret found life in Scotland quite difficult. She often wrote to her family in England, saying she was not happy and felt poorly treated. This caused some tension between England and Scotland.
She was not allowed to see her husband, Alexander, very often. She had grown fond of him, so this made her sad. Margaret also disliked the royal castle and the city of Edinburgh. She found the Scottish weather unpleasant and missed her home and family in England very much.
Margaret wrote about her homesickness and complaints to her parents. They asked if she could visit them in England. However, the Scottish leaders refused. They were worried that if she left, she might never return to Scotland.
In 1255, Margaret's mother, Queen Eleanor, sent her own doctor to Edinburgh. He was there to check on Margaret's health and happiness. The doctor reported that Margaret looked pale and seemed very sad. She complained about feeling lonely and ignored.
Her father then sent a new group of people to Scotland. He wrote to some Scottish earls, demanding that Margaret be treated better. Queen Margaret told her father's envoys that she felt like a prisoner. She said she was not allowed to travel or spend time with her husband.
After this, the King of England and the Scottish leaders reached an agreement. They decided that since Margaret and Alexander were now 14, they should be allowed to live together as husband and wife. The Scottish leaders also agreed to give full power to Alexander in seven years. Alexander, in turn, promised to show Margaret affection and let her visit her parents.
On September 7, 1255, Margaret and Alexander III visited her parents and her sister Beatrice in Wark, England. Margaret stayed a little longer in England after Alexander left, but she soon followed him back to Scotland once the agreement was secure.
Challenges and Later Life
In 1257, Margaret and Alexander were captured by the Comyn family. This powerful family wanted all foreigners to leave Scotland. They were eventually set free after Margaret's father and the Scottish leaders stepped in to help.
Margaret visited England a few times later in her life. In 1260–61, she went to give birth to her daughter, Margaret. In 1269, she attended a special event at Westminster Abbey with Alexander. This event was to move the remains of Edward the Confessor. She could not attend her father's funeral in 1272 because she was pregnant at the time.
There was a sad incident involving Margaret in 1273. It was said that she was partly responsible for the death of a young courtier. This young man was believed to have killed her uncle, Simon de Montfort, at the Battle of Evesham. Margaret's brother, Edward, had given her this young man as a gift in 1257.
The incident happened at Kinclaven Castle near Perth in the summer of 1273. Margaret was recovering there after giving birth to her son, David. One evening after dinner, she was walking along the River Tay with her confessor, some maidens, and several young men. An English esquire (a young nobleman) went down to the river to wash clay from his hands. Margaret playfully pushed him into the river. Sadly, he was swept away by a strong current before anyone could help him.
According to her confessor, Margaret had told her maidens to push him, and everyone had laughed at first. They thought there was no danger. However, the current was too strong. Both the esquire and his servant boy, who jumped in to save him, drowned. Margaret was reportedly very upset by this accident.
Margaret and Alexander were present at the coronation of Edward I in Westminster in August 1274. Margaret died on February 26, 1275, at Cupar Castle. She was buried at Dunfermline Abbey in Fife, Scotland.
Children
Margaret and Alexander had three children:
- Margaret (born February 28, 1261 – died April 9, 1283). She later married King Eric II of Norway.
- Alexander (born January 21, 1264, in Jedburgh – died January 28, 1284, at Lindores Abbey).
- David (born March 20, 1272 – died June 1281, at Stirling Castle). He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey.
