Margaret Maid of Norway

Margaret Maid of Norway 1283-90, queen of Scotland (1286-90), daughter of Eric II of Norway and granddaughter of Alexander III of Scotland. In 1284 the nobles of Scotland recognized the infant Norwegian princess as heiress presumptive to the Scottish throne, and on Alexander III's death Margaret became queen under a regency. Edward I of England arranged a marriage for her with his eldest son, Edward, and this union was agreed to by the Scots in the Treaty of Birgham (1290), which stipulated that Scotland would remain independent. Margaret, however, died on the voyage from Norway to Scotland. The resultant dispute over the succession gave Edward I an opportunity to try to subjugate Scotland.

Margaret, Maid of Norway (c.1283–90) Queen of Scotland (1286–90). She was the daughter of Erik II, King of Norway, and the granddaughter of ALEXANDER III of Scotland. She became Queen of Scotland at the age of three, although six guardians were appointed to govern the kingdom during her minority. Edward I of England proposed a marriage between Margaret and his son Edward, the first English Prince of Wales. Her death when crossing the North Sea from Norway to Scotland brought to an end the dynastic House of Canmore, which had ruled since 1057, and led to a dispute (1291–92) over the succession involving 13 claimants. Edward I of England judged in favour of John BALLIOL.

Margaret (1283–90), queen of Scots (1286–90), known as ‘the Maid of Norway’. Daughter of Eric II of Norway, she succeeded her grandfather Alexander III, whose children had all predeceased him, at the age of 3 in 1286, and her premature death four years later was one of the most significant events in medieval British history. Her betrothal to Edward of Caernarfon (the future Edward II), agreed by the treaty of Birgham, was intended to perpetuate Anglo-Scottish peace through dynastic union. But she died at Kirkwall in Orkney on her way from Bergen to Scotland. This tragedy led to a disputed succession in Scotland, to Edward I's ill-judged interventions in Scottish affairs, and to the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Keith J. Stringer