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THIS SECTION: A.D. 795 to 1260 Viking Raiders Turmoil and Trouble The Alban Kings Tanistry More Strife MacBeth Reformation of the Church Donald III 11th Century Scotland 12th Century Scotland 13th Century Scotland Alexander III Battle of Largs History Main Page Main Home Page Timeline Beginning to A.D. 350 A.D. 350 to 794 A.D. 1260 to |
Subjection to Henry II
In 1174 William was caught in a surprise attack at Alnwick in Northumberland and was sent as a prisoner to France (Normandy). In order to obtain his release he had to subject himself and the whole of the kingdom to Henry II. Having done this he returned not to peace and quiet but to a rebellion in Galloway and then in 1179 a rebellion in the North led by Donald Ban McWilliam.
However, even this was not the end to Williams's troubles, as he was excommunicated (along with the whole of the Scottish people) by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1181. Strangely, it seems that only two years later, the Pope sent a special tribute to William as a King with exceptional religious zeal so clearly this falling from favour didn't last long. In addition he was eventually released from his obligations to Henry II by paying 10,000 marks in 1189. William never fulfilled his ambition to regain Northumberland and to all intents the border remained fixed for some considerable time. One of his successes was regaining some element of control over Moray and the Norwegian held territories on the mainland in 1196. Total control of Scotland remained outwith his grasp and William finally died in 1214 to be suceeded by Alexander II. |
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