Alexander II of Scotland reigned from 1214 to 1249 CE. Succeeding his father William I of Scotland (r. 1165-1214 CE), Alexander supported the northern barons in England against the unpopular King John of England (r. 1199-1216 CE) and so contributed to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 CE. The Scottish king ruthlessly tightened his grip on Scotland's border regions and restored peaceful relations with his southern neighbour when he married the sister of Henry III of England (r. 1216-1272 CE). Alexander died in 1249 CE while campaigning to wrest the Western Isles from the Norwegian Crown, and he was succeeded by his son Alexander III of Scotland (r. 1249-1286 CE).
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Definition
Timeline
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24 Aug 1198Alexander II of Scotland is born at Haddington in East Lothian.
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1212Prince Alexander, future Alexander II of Scotland, is knighted by King John of England in Westminster.
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1214 - 1249Reign of Alexander II of Scotland.
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5 Dec 1214Alexander II of Scotland is invested at Scone Abbey.
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15 Jun 1215The Magna Carta is signed by King John of England.
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Jan 1216 - Aug 1216King John of England and Alexander II of Scotland exchange raids into each other's territory.
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Aug 1216Alexander II of Scotland meets Prince Louis, claimant to the English throne, in Canterbury.
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Dec 1217Alexander II of Scotland pays homage to Henry III of England at Northampton.
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19 Jun 1221Alexander II of Scotland marries Joan, sister of Henry III of England, in York.
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1222Alexander II of Scotland founds the royal burgh of Dumbarton.
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1228Alexander II of Scotland ends the pretender mac Williams line.
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1234 - 1235Alexander II of Scotland ends a rebellion in Galloway.
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25 Sep 1237Henry III of England and Alexander II of Scotland sign the Peace of York.
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4 Mar 1238Queen Joan, wife of Alexander II of Scotland, dies of illness.
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15 May 1239Alexander II of Scotland marries his second wife, Marie de Coucy, a French noblewoman.
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4 Sep 1241Birth of Alexander III of Scotland.
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1247Alexander II of Scotland ends another major rebellion in Galloway.
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Jul 1249Death of Alexander II of Scotland.
