William I of Scotland
| William the Lion | |
|---|---|
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Seal of William the Lion
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| King of the Scots | |
| Reign | 9 December 1165 – 4 December 1214 |
| Coronation | 24 December 1165 |
| Predecessor | Malcolm IV |
| Successor | Alexander II |
| Born | About 1143 |
| Died | 4 December 1214 (aged 71) Stirling |
| Burial | Arbroath Abbey |
| Spouse | Ermengarde de Beaumont |
| Issue |
Margaret, Countess of Kent Isabella, Countess of Norfolk Alexander II of Scotland Marjorie |
| House | House of Dunkeld |
| Father | Henry of Scotland |
| Mother | Ada de Warenne |
William the Lion (Mediaeval Gaelic: Uilliam mac Eanric; Modern Gaelic: Uilleam mac Eanraig), sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", (c. 1143 – 4 December 1214) reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214. He had the second-longest reign in Scottish history before the Act of Union with England in 1707. James VI (reigned 1567–1625) would have the longest.
He became king following his brother Malcolm IV's death on 9 December 1165 and was crowned on 24 December 1165.
In contrast to his deeply religious, frail brother, William was powerfully built, redheaded, and headstrong. He was an effective monarch whose reign was marred by his ill-fated attempts to regain control of Northumbria from the Normans.
Traditionally, William is credited with founding Arbroath Abbey, the site of the later Declaration of Arbroath.
He was not known as "The Lion" during his own lifetime, and the title did not relate to his tenacious character or his military prowess. It was attached to him because of his flag or standard, a red lion rampant with a forked tail (queue fourchée) on a yellow background. This (with the substitution of a 'double tressure fleury counter-fleury' border instead of an orle) went on to become the Royal Banner of Scotland, still used today but quartered with those of England and of Ireland. It became attached to him because the chronicler John of Fordun called him the "Lion of Justice".
William was grandson of David I of Scotland. He also inherited the title of Earl of Northumbria in 1152 from his father, Henry of Scotland. However he had to give up this title to King Henry II of England in 1157. This caused trouble after William became king, since he spent a lot of effort trying to regain Northumbria.
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Wikipedia