As the succession crisis resulting from the unexpected deaths of Alexander III (1286) and then his designated successor
Margaret (1290) developed, Argyll took a prominent part in the succession dispute. He was married to the sister of
John II Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, key ally and kinsman of the Balliols. Alexander found himself as a firm
Balliol supporter as the Balliol's vied against the
Bruces to take the succession. He served as one of
John de Balliol's auditors during the
Great Cause, and after the latter's accession as King, Alexander was a key ally and helped King John establish his sheriffdoms in the west. The alliance between MacDougall and Balliol developed from and caused an alliance between MacDougall's main regional rival,
Alexander Óg MacDonald, and the Bruces. Alexander was captured during the
Battle of Dunbar by
English forces and was imprisoned at
Berwick Castle until his release in 1297. After the deposition of Balliol in 1296, MacDougall opposed the power of his new overlord
Edward I of England. The failure of Balliol's kingship also helped to fuel conflict between the two west Highland kindreds as part of the civil and international conflict known today as the
First War of Scottish Independence; in 1299 MacDougall killed Alexander Og. MacDougall became reconciled with King Edward and in 1305 became a member of the King's Scottish council. The murder of Alexander's kinsman
John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch in 1306 by
Robert de Brus,
Earl of Carrick, hardened MacDougall's anti-Bruce position, and this became opposition to Robert's kingship as the latter was crowned King of Scots at
Scone later in the year. Through 1307 and into 1308 King Robert assaulted the MacDougall-Comyn position in the Western Highlands. After Alexander's seat,
Dunstaffnage Castle, was captured by Bruce forces in 1308, Alexander entered the King's peace. Although Alexander attended the
St Andrews parliament of 1309, by 1310 Alexander and his son had gone into England to join the service of King
Edward II of England. Alexander died in that year, perhaps in English service in
Ireland. Alexander's only known wife was a daughter of the
John I Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. He had many children, including: •
John of Argyll, his son and successor • Donnchadh • Christiana, m. Maol Mhuire Lamont Alexander Og's wife, Juliana, may have been a daughter or sister of Alexander. Another of his daughters, unknown by name, married
Lachlann Mac Ruaidhrí, son of
Ailéan mac Ruaidhrí. He had several other sons. ==Notes==