Alexander I of Scotland

Alexander I ( Alasdair mac Maíl Coluim; * 1078, † April 23, 1124 in Stirling Castle) was Scottish king of 1107 until his death. He was the fourth son of Malcolm III. and his second wife Margaret born, which was later canonized. It was named in honor of Pope Alexander II

After his brother Edgar 's death Alexander succeeded to the throne of Scotland. However, according to Edgar's last will, he inherited only a part of the empire. The portion south of Clyde and Forth went to Alexander's younger brother, David I., who reigned as Earl about this area. The reasons for the division of the kingdom are unknown. Alexander was not satisfied with this agreement and tried several times to bring the southern half of the empire under his control, but to no avail.

Alexander's personality was contradictory. On the one hand he was a feared warrior, on the other hand also a pious man. The one aspect of his character manifested itself in the ruthless suppression of a rebellion, which was led by the descendants of the former king Lulach. Thus he was given the nickname " the Wild ". On the other hand, however, he supported generously to the establishment of bishoprics and monasteries, including the abbeys of Scone and Inchcolm.

In 1107 he married Sybilla, an illegitimate daughter of King Henry I. The exact date and place of the wedding are not known. Sybilla died in July 1122 under mysterious circumstances in a monastery on the island woman ( Eilean nam Ban ) in Loch Tay. The marriage remained childless.

Alexander died on April 23, 1124 at the Royal Court in Stirling. His brother David followed him to the throne, so that the two halves of the empire were again united. Historian John Fordun said of Alexander: "He was against the clergy submissive and polite, against all other subjects he went, however, remains extremely reckless ".