The year 1290, however, was to be distinguished by events of far more
serious import than the records of domestic happiness. Edward, secure in
England, had reached, perhaps, the culminating point of a successful
career. His judgment was appealed to and his advice followed in foreign
lands; and the great political design of bringing about the union of the
Scottish and English crowns, so often the dream of his predecessors, now
appeared to promise a successful issue by the betrothal of Prince Edward
to his cousin, Margaret of Norway,[27] the grand-daughter of Alexander
III, and heiress to the Scottish throne. Eleanor’s influence must have
been willingly exerted to bring about so happy a solution of the long
drawn out Anglo-Scottish dispute.
Footnote 27:
The “Maid of Norway” was King Edward’s grand-niece, and first cousin
“once-removed” to the Prince.
Earlier events of importance in 1290 in Eleanor’s domestic life were the
marriages of her two daughters, Joan of Acre and Margaret. The
celebrations which distinguished the latter event were of so striking a
character that their record remains to this day as an example of the
extreme of mediæval magnificence.
Already, however, the tragic events which closed this year were throwing
their shadows over the land. The Queen’s health was not as it should
be,[28] and a rumour rapidly gained credence that Margaret was dead in
Orkney, where she had rested on her voyage from Norway to Scotland. The
question of the succession to the Scottish Crown, with all its dangerous
consequences, was immediately opened up, and it is clear that Edward
promptly came to the conclusion that he must be in a position to bring
about a result favourable to the English interest.
Footnote 28:
There is some evidence that a daughter was added to the Queen’s
already large family early in this year.