William I of Scotland, also known as 'William the Lion' after his heraldic emblem, reigned from 1165 to 1214 CE. Succeeding his elder brother Malcolm IV of Scotland (r. 1153-1165 CE), William was faced with a shrinking kingdom, but he harboured ambitions to capture northern England, especially Northumberland. While campaigning south of the border in 1174 CE, William was ignominiously captured by English knights and imprisoned until he negotiated with Henry II of England (r. 1154-1189 CE) for his release. William was obliged to become Henry's vassal, give up key castles in Scotland and defer to the English Church. Scotland bought back its freedom from Richard I of England (r. 1189-1199 CE) but then lost it again to King John of England (r. 1199-1216 CE). Despite the ups and downs concerning his relations with English kings, William ruled Scotland for longer than any other medieval Scottish monarch and did much to consolidate his kingdom and extend the Crown's rule over the entire northern British Isles. When he died in 1214 CE he had ruled for 49 years; he was succeeded by his son Alexander II of Scotland (r. 1214-1249 CE)
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1142Birth of William I of Scotland.
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1165 - 1214Reign of William I of Scotland.
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24 Dec 1165William I of Scotland is invested at Scone.
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1168William I of Scotland signs a treaty with France.
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Jul 1174William I of Scotland invades Northumbria.
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13 Jul 1174William I of Scotland is captured by English knights in Northumberland.
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Dec 1174Henry II of England's overlordship of Scotland is recognised by the Treaty of Falaise.
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10 Aug 1175William I of Scotland pays public homage to Henry II of England at York.
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1178William I of Scotland founds Arbroath Abbey.
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5 Sep 1186William I of Scotland marries Ermengarde de Beaumont.
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1187Donald mac William, pretender to the Scottish throne, is killed in battle.
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5 Dec 1189The quitclaim of Canterbury is signed between Richard I of England and William I of Scotland returning to Scotland its independence from the English crown.
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Sep 1209The Treaty of Norham establishes King John of England's overlordship over William I of Scotland.
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4 Dec 1214William I of Scotland dies at Stirling Castle.