In 2023 St. Fillan’s church will celebrate it’s 900th anniversary. Therefore we are going prepare by looking at what happened back in the 1120’s.
Alexander I was born in 1077, became King of Scotland in 1107 and died in 1124.
Alexander gained a reputation for fierceness after suppressing a revolt by descendants of King Lulach in Moray. On the other hand he was also know for his support of the church and his piety, which included the foundation of abbeys at Scone and on Inchcolm, the latter founded in thanks for his survival of a tempest at sea when crossing the Forth.
Alexander had close links with Henry I of England and married Henry’s illegitimate daughter Sybilla She a died suddenly in July 1122, leaving no children. Alexander died at Stirling in April 1124. He was succeeded by his brother, David I.
Alexander & Sybilla are buried at Dunfermline Abbey.
As the only son born in England he seized the throne from his two elder brothers. He then spent much time fighting in Normandy. As he was away from England for much of the time his reign marked a significant advance from personal monarchy towards the bureaucratised state of the future. As King, Henry tried to make social reforms. He issued the Charter of Liberties which is considered a predecessor of the Magna Carta.
Henry married Alexander’s sister Matilda to secure his northern border. Has only son died in a shipwreck, and on Henry’s death the problem of succession let to civil war. He was succeeded by Stephen.
The 1120’s was therefore a time of war, danger and uncertainty but laid the foundation for a better future.