BattlefieldsDeath of the Maid of Norway and Succession Crisis 1290
Medieval

Death of the Maid of Norway and Succession Crisis 1290

1290
Orkney, Scotland
Also known as: Maid of Norway dies 1290 · Scottish succession crisis 1290
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Orkney, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
VS
Victor
No military outcome -- political crisis
Outcome
Maid of Norway died in Orkney; succession thrown open; Great Cause began
The Battle

History & Significance

Margaret, Maid of Norway, the agreed heir to the Scottish throne under the Treaty of Birgham, died in Orkney in September 1290 before she could be brought to Scotland. She was seven years old. Her death threw the succession entirely open -- at least thirteen competitors would eventually claim the throne. Edward I of England was invited to arbitrate, a decision that would lead directly to the Wars of Independence. The political crisis that followed was the direct prologue to the conflict with England.

Casualties & Losses

Margaret died of illness

Forces Involved

No military engagement

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Orkney

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Orkney