Alexander III: King of Scots [Paperback]

The glorious thing about Ms Campbell's book is that it took a long time to write and an equally long time to research. Digging around for fact, proven fact, in the 13th century is not easy. Indeed, it is enormously difficult as there are not too many contemporary records on which to draw. Ms. Campbell at her Kilberry home has carefully and slowly amassed them (contemporary records)and she has put them down on paper with the skill of a born writer who knows what she wants to say and has that wonderful knack of telling it in a way that the reader is hooked and doesn't want to put the volume down until the last page has been turned. There aren't too many good, very readable books on the history of our native land (Scotland). Marion Campbell's "Alexander III" is an exception and has been well worth waiting for.

Full-length biography of this important Scots monarch, whose accession just 750 years ago followed the unexpected demise of Alexander II (in Kerrera, July 1249). Known to every schoolchild for his own untimely end one dark and stormy night, but perhaps not fully appreciated for his work in maintaining and enhancing a coherent and independent Scottish nation, this life by gifted historian and novelist Marion Campbell is a timely and riveting read. The man and his kingdom are thoroughly researched and the relationship between Scotland and other European countries is examined, together with the complex connections between their royal houses. The fruit of an abiding interest, this is a stimulating work and will be much enjoyed.

Alexander III 1249-1286 We are all familiar with the story of his untimely and dramatic death, in falling from his horse on a dark and stormy night, and many people will remember Alexander III for his decisive defeat of King Haakon of Norway's fleet at the Battle of Largs. This full-length biography now gives due recognition to Alexander III's greater and more significant achievement, in establishing a coherent and independent Scottish nation. This was made possible by the masterful consolidation of his victory over Haakon in the Treaty of Perth, whereby the whole of Scotland's western seaboard was resumed from the Norwegian throne. Marion Campbell displays her acclaimed skills as an historian and storyteller in this important and original work, bringing new insight into her subject and his achievements. His life and reign are illuminated by thorough research and described in stimulating terms. This is an important biography, one which covers a formative and hitherto sadly neglected period in Scotland's history.

Marion Campbell was born in 1919 and her life has been centred on her native Argyllshire, where Kilberry Castle has been the family home for four centuries. Most of her writing has concentrated on the theme of Argyll's past and she is well known as a field archaeologist. As the author of the outstanding history "Argyll: the Enduring Heartland" she made a major contribution to the history of the area and as a gifted novelist she has demonstrated her deep insight into many aspects of Scottish history.

"Haakan wanted to divide the fleet and send half down the eastern coasts, but that idea was voted down in a council. Not even the Old Man could gainsay a Ship-thing in plenary session; it was the first sign that all was not well. The second sign came on Sunday 2 August (1263), when the sun was darkened. The eclipse, seen across Europe, was annular in Orkney, and brave efforts were made to assert that it predicted victory; but it was generally taken to be unchancy. On 10 August they got a fair easterly and by nightfall were off Cape Wrath and bearing away for Lewis. The same kindly wind brought a last squadron of eight ships from Norway, led by Andrew Nicholasson, a veteran crusader and diplomat. Delayed by trouble completing their stores, they were in dread of missing the action completely. After sighting Skule Skerry (probably following the flight of gannets) they stood south-east and landed near Durness, attacking a 'castle' and raiding twenty farms before continuing to Stornoway. There they found above a hundred ships, at anchor or drawn up ashore. Far from missing the action, Andrew and his squadron were heroes who had struck the first blow, and they enjoyed a week's feasting while local leaders came to Haakon. The Islemen differed widely in their response; some joined gladly, some offered stores, others had to be harried into contributing at all. ..." Extract from p. 138