lexander II, 1198-1249, king of Scotland (1214-49), son and successor of William the Lion. When the English king John became embroiled with his barons, Alexander, who held land in England, joined them (1215). With Henry III, John’s successor, Alexander agreed to give up his claims as overlord in old Northumbria and to exchange lands he held in central England for lands in the north. Later Henry and he nearly went to war over the homage Alexander owed for these northern lands. Alexander was assiduous at home in quelling disorder. His reign saw a notable growth in religious houses and ecclesiastical architecture. [The Illustrated Columbia Encyclopedia, 1969]

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