Scotland Grows Strong-A House of Dunkeld survives idea.

[VVD0D95]

1284, was known to many in Scotland as the year their hopes sunk out the window and the long grind to freedom began, Prince Alexander of Scotland had died from an unknown illness leaving his father King Alexander III without any male heirs, and only a granddaughter for a true heir. This necessitated a marriage to Yolande of Dreux in 1285, and it was thought that the new Queen was pregnant when her husband suffered a fall from a horse in 1286, as he was venturing to see her.

Now the change starts in 1284, Prince Alexander of Scotland is not the one to die, instead he survives the illness that took his life in original timeline, and instead mourns the passing of his wife in childbirth as she gives birth to a stillborn son. With it being just the two of them left in the House of Dunkeld, Prince Alexander's father contracts new marriages for both himself and his heir. A joint wedding is held in Stirling, as the King marries Marie of Brittany, and Prince Alexander marries Yolande of Dreux, Countess of Montfort. A year following the marriage, sees Princess Yolande giving birth to a healthy baby boy named Alexander, whilst Queen Marie gives birth to a boy named Malcolm, after the founder of the House of Dunkeld, Malcolm Canmore. It is during the year of 1286, that tragedy would befall the House of Dunkeld when King ALexander, decides to make that fateful journey through the rain and sleet to visit his wife, getting separated from his guides, he would be found the next morning, with a broken neck. Queen Marie would give birth to a stillborn girl, and later die from the struggle of the birth.

Prince Alexander, so recently married, would be crowned at Scone as King Alexander IV of Scotland in 1286, and would soon welcome another child to his family, a girl named Margaret in honour of his sister and mother. He would negotiate a trade treaty with his uncle King Edward I, which gave each kingdom primacy in regards to trade with the other, and he would negotiate a good trade deal with the low countries and Burgundy. Betrothing his oldest son Alexander-now created Earl of Garioch-, to Margaret of Burgundy the oldest daughter of the Duke of Burgundy in 1291, a year after the girl's birth.

 

[Ciniad]

Yes a Scotland timeline will the auld alliance stay strong I always was a fan of a strong Scotish/French alliance maybe France could be influenced by Scotish laws and custom.

 

[VVD0D95]

Yes a Scotland timeline will the auld alliance stay strong I always was a fan of a strong Scotish/French alliance maybe France could be influenced by Scotish laws and custom.

If there is even a need for the auld alliance eh?

 

[Ciniad]

The auld alliance was already established was it 1195 or 1295 could be transformed into a commercial alliance and an alliance with The capetian house of Burgundy good soon all the noble in the world will have more capetian blood than the blood of their own ancestor /evil laugh/.

 

[VVD0D95]

The auld alliance was already established was it 1195 or 1295 could be transformed into a commercial alliance and an alliance with The capetian house of Burgundy good soon all the noble in the world will have more capetian blood than the blood of their own ancestor /evil laugh/.

The Auld Alliance was estbalished in the 1290s during the war for independence, as of yet it has not been established. And as such if it is the reasoning behind it will be quite different.

 

[Ciniad]

But an Alliance must éxist the Dunkeld and Capetian are two of my favorite dynasty I love them almost as much as I love the Merovingian and Han dynasty.

 

[VVD0D95]

But an Alliance must éxist the Dunkeld and Capetian are two of my favorite dynasty I love them almost as much as I love the Merovingian and Han dynasty.

An alliance might come into play, it might not. Depends on the politics of the time. And how Alexander IV feels.

 

[VVD0D95]

Any other comments or suggestions would be most welcome

 

[VVD0D95]

The years 1291-1294, would go down as some of the most remarkable of King Alexander IV's reign. Aged twenty-seven at the beginning of this period, the young King would spend most of that time travelling his realm on a grand royal progress, meeting with his lords and reminding them, that yes they answered to him. Whilst there was no great campaign to unite the sometimes fractious Scottish lords, each one was noted for trying to outdo the other in the pomp and ceremony with which they greeted the young King. King Alexander, is also noted by John of Fordun, as having had a zeal for reform, mostly the taxation system, which he believed had become too old and decrepit under his father and grandfather. Indeed, to this end upon learning that the Lord Chancellor of Scotland under his father Thomas Charteris, had been skimming money from the treasury, King Alexander had the man summarily tried for treason and executed-something that caused quite a stir considering Charteris's position as Archdeacon of Lothian- and had him replaced with Robert Wishard, Bishop of Glasgow. Furthermore, under King Alexander, the New Age reforms were initiated. These reforms were aimed at centralising the collection of taxes, and ensuring that the collectors actually got the full amount that the crown was owed, not some skimmed amount. The reform initially proved successful, and it was shown that crown revenues increased by 2% in 1291, 3% in 1292, and by the end of this period, they had increased by 6%. King Alexander and his wife Queen Yolande, also welcomed another son, whom he named David after the brother he had lost, the child was born in mid 1291, and joined his older brother ALexander and older sister Margaret, as well as their uncle Malcolm in the royal nursery in Stirling.

It is noted by Fordun, that King Alexander and his wife Queen Yolande were quite close, they rarely spent that much time apart from one another, only doing so when the King was in a meeting with his privy council. The Queen joined her husband on his royal progresses, as well as when he would inspect the royal fleet, and various other pursuits. She was to all intents and purposes, the King's confidant, friend and great love. When it looked as if childbirth might be the end for her in 1292, King Alexander had prayers said for her in abbeys all around the country, and gave great rewards, when his wife survived and delivered a healthy baby girl who was named Beatrice, for the Queen's mother. A most delighted King and Queen would spend time in Edinburgh where the child was born, before returning to Stirling and seeing out the year there.

In domestic relations, King Alexander played a great mediating role in the dispute between Lord Robert Bruce of Annandale, and Lord John Comyn, Earl of Badenoch. The dispute was over some slight or the other that it was felt had been dealt to Comyn, by Bruce, and as it was thought it might escalate into violence, King Alexander showed great diplomacy skills by bringing both warring sides to the table at Stirling, and getting them to make up-something his father had never quite been able to do-. Praised, for this and growing quite the reputation internationally, the King sent the Earl of Carrick off to Paris, to negotiate an alliance with King Philip, for whilst, Alexander was certain his uncle, King Edward would not try to reinforce a claim to overlordship, one could never be too sure.

 

[Faeelin]

Yea, you do think that a Scottish king would look at Wales and think "Well, crap."

 

[VVD0D95]

Yea, you do think that a Scottish king would look at Wales and think "Well, crap."

Aha indeed, Wales, always under England's boot.

 

[VVD0D95]

A random thought I had, considering the pod is January, 1284, this could have allowed Prince Alphonso, third born but oldest surviving son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castille to potentially survive. Should I have him survive?

 

[kasumigenx]

A random thought I had, considering the pod is January, 1284, this could have allowed Prince Alphonso, third born but oldest surviving son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castille to potentially survive. Should I have him survive?

yes..

 

[VVD0D95]

yes..

Okay and why is that?

 

[kasumigenx]

Okay and why is that?

Both Alfonso of Chester and Alfonso of Aragon should survive and Eleanor Plantagenet, the eldest surviving daughter of Eleanor of Castille should be sent to Aragon as soon as possible, since she was already pre contracted.

 

[VVD0D95]

Both Alfonso of Chester and Alfonso of Aragon should survive and Eleanor Plantagenet, the eldest surviving daughter of Eleanor of Castille should be sent to Aragon as soon as possible, since she was already pre contracted.

Okay, what difference would Alfonso of Chester make if he survived?

Also considering the interdict placed on Alfonso, Eleanor marrying him still seems unlikely

 

[VVD0D95]

1294, a most interesting of years, since the conquest of Wales, and the fall of the Kingdom of Gwenyyd, all had seemed reasonably well for the English lords, whose wealth had grown with the conquest. Yet, they had failed to take into account the dissatisfaction of rule from London and heavy taxes would have on the Welsh people. Therefore, when that famous son Madog Ap Llewyn led a rebellion and struck hard and fast at several key castles, the English were caught off guard. King Edward, who had been planning on returning to Gascony, to deal with issues stemming from his duty as a vassal of the King of France, decided to cancel that visit, and instead summoned his retainers and lords to him. Taking with him, his son and heir Alphonso, Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales, as well as some well known English and Scottish lords and their heirs, The King ventured out to Wales. In Wales, Madog had declared himself the rightful Prince and ruler of Wales, and had begun attacking northern Wales, whilst his key supporters attacked southern Wales, the plan being to try and break up English armies. To some extent the plan worked, as English lords in Wales were trapped without support, and defeated. Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Denbigh, was slain trying to defend his holdings in Wales. As the revolt spread, it looked as if Wales might be freed, but the Welsh had forgotten one important thing, in the hills and mountains they were unstoppable, but on the field they were not.

Prince Madog, drunk off of victory after victory, led a daring raid on the English host, camped as it was near Conwy Castle, one of his men managed to injure King Edward, placing the security of the army under threat. However, Prince Alphonso, the oldest son and heir to the English King, aged twenty-one, took over command of the army, and deciding to use a bit of trickery, he undermined the Welsh who remained besieging him and his army, and sallied out from the castle. A victory from that, restored confidence, and encouraged the Young Prince to move forward, chasing Madog and finally bringing him to open battle. The Battle of the Mosses, as it has come to be know, could only have one result. Madog and his followers were over confident, and they charged against heavily armoured knights, who arranged in battles, managed to destroy them. Madog was slain during the fighting, and Prince Alphonso earned great acclaim for his bravery. Those Welsh men who had rebelled with Madog were given two choices, either they would die by the sword, or they could bend and help rebuild Wales. Acting on his father's advice, Alphonso also decided to listen to the complaints of the people. The Welsh campaign was also notable for it being the first serious military engagement of John Comyn, heir to the Lordship of Badenoch, and Robert Brus, heir to Carrick and Annandale.

 

[VVD0D95]

Wales had been subdued, and Prince Alphonso's name was on the lips of every noble who had fought under him during the campaign. He had shown drive, determination and dedication in finishing off Madog's rebellion. In setting up a court at Carnarvon where the youngest of King Edward's sons had been born, the English were showing that they were willing to listen to the complaints of the Welsh people. Those officials who had committed offenses were hung or executed, and new trusted officials were put in place, with Welsh nobles serving as their underlings or advisors. Alphonso was also formally confirmed as Prince of Wales by his father, and recognised as such by the nobles of the two realms. Setting up a base in Carnarvon, with his wife Margaret of Holland, Alphonso began seeing to the uniting of Wales, touring the land and speaking with those who might have reason to abandon his father. And if the last remaining male members of the House of Aberfaw were to turn up dead in a few months after the suppression of Madog, well people did not really complain or know. Indeed, there was great cause for celebration, when the Princess of Wales gave birth to a healthy male heir, named Henry for Alphonso's grandfather. Celebrations were held throughout the kingdom, and when the Prince and Princess of Wales ventured to Windsor for Christmas, it was written that the King and Queen were both delighted at the presence of their first grandchild.

In Scotland, in a bid to ensure that his younger brother's future was secure, King Alexander formally announced his brother Malcolm's betrothal to Alicia Comyn, niece of John Comyn, Earl of Buchan and head of the Black Comyns. Alexander also began talks with his brother in law King Eric of Norway in regards to perhaps completing the Scottish acquisition of the isles in return for Scottish support in Eric's war against Denmark. The talks were held for most of 1295, but eventually petered out as neither side was willing to budge on the issue of how much exactly should be paid for the islands being discussed. However, the threat of war is avoided, and Alexander instead decides to try again the next year.

 

[VVD0D95]

1296 sees issues with France rear their heads once more. Word had reached King Philip IV, in Paris, that there were some Gascon nobles who were unhappy with the way taxes were being levied by Edward, in his role as Duke of Gascony. Intrigued by this, and perhaps sensing an opportunity to finally remove England from his country, King Philip summoned Edward to Paris, to answer for these indiscretions. Edward, being the man he was, said he would not come as a vassal, but as a fellow King, in the name of good faith. Philip, however, said that he was summoning the Duke of Gascony, not requesting the King of England come to visit him. Edward replied, that they were one and the same. In this manner, letters went backwards and forwards, and envoys travelled across the channel for months at a time. All the while, both Kings were slowly beginning to prepare for war, with commissions of array sent out in England, and the King of France drawing on his nobles hatred for foreign influence in their lands. Eventually, the posturing and pretense stopped, King Philip issued a final ultimatum, either Edward came to France and did fealty and answered for the indiscretions previously mentioned as Duke of Gascony, or the DUchy would be confiscated. Edward replied by setting sail from England for Bordeaux, defeating the fleet of ships Philip had stationed in the channel. War had officially begun.

Whilst England and France are at loggerheads over the issue of Gascony, King Alexander once more tries to get the issue of payment to Norway for the Isles out of the way. With his war against Denmark going sideways, and with his finances looking to be getting slightly ruinous, King Eric is reluctant to agree to the terms, his brother in law is proposing. However, he is eventually convinced of the good sense in doing so, and in the Second Treaty of Largs, it is agreed that whilst Norway will keep Shetland, the money paid for the other isles will stop, and indeed, will be paid off in one single lump sum, which is done. Celebrating a victory, King Alexander then begins preparing to send aid to his brother in law, in his war against the Danish. A small force of men under the command of the Lord of the Isles departs for Norway in November.

 

[VVD0D95]

After the defeat of his fleet in the Channel, King Philip summons his lords to him and marches from Paris, determined to make good on his threat to King Edward. Edward meanwhile arrives in Bordeaux, and begins preparing for the inevitable fighting to come. Sending a force of men under his son and heir Alphonso to the border town of La Reole, where he is given orders to fortify the town and prepare it for a possible siege. John de Warrenne, Earl of Surrey is sent with a force of men to Libourne to hold that town. King Edward is careful not to spread his forces too thin and so keeps the rest of his army in Bordeaux as they await word. King Philip, sends his brother Charles, Count of Valois to Libourne, determined to take the border town and cause an outcry, whilst he himself marches with his army toward the town of Marmande. At Libourne, Charles, Count of Valois encounters stiff resistance, and indeed, suffers an arrow wound that will later cost him his life during the siege. His army, is then taken over by the Duke of Burgundy who leads the army toward Marmande, where they join the French King's host in taking the city. From Marmande, King Philip sends a host under the Count of Artois toward Libourne to avenge his brother, the Second Siege of Libourne lasts the rest of the year, whilst Philip and his army settle down into planning and advancement. Edward and his son and heir Alphonso watch these proceedings nervously.

In Scotland, King Alexander welcomes yet another child, a boy named William is born in the summer of 1297. His birth heralds the strength of King Alexander's reign and presence, for the nobility are firmly under his thumb, their disputes are resolved by the King's person, their taxes come in on time, or they face sanctions, and the church are strongly agreed to the King's stance. Internationally, King Alexander maintains a neutral stance over the issue of England and France's war, whilst providing gold and men to his brother in law, King Eric to aid in dealing with Denmark, the force under the command of the Lord of Isles providing some aid and strength. Alexander, however, senses that there might be a chance to give Scotland a great presence abroad, and begins enquiring into greater trade contracts with the Low Countries, as well as with Castille and Aragon.