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He supported the English Barons in their struggle against King John, leading an army across the border and raiding northern England. After the death of King John, Alexander eventually agreed terms with Henry III, and after his marriage to Henry's sister, Joan, renounced his claims (with the Treaty of York) to the English counties of Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland . Within this treaty Alexander and Henry agreed the borders of both countries, this agreement has survived to this day, with very little change, allthough a lot of blood has been spilt to keep them this way.
He founded numerous religious institutions within Scotland, including, Blackfriars monastery and Balmerino Abbey, but could also be quite ruthless when he felt it was called for, in 1222 he ordered the hands and feet of 80 men to be cut off, because they were present at the murder of Bishop Adam of Caithness.
After the death of Joan, by whom he had no children, he married, Marie de Coucy, by whom he had his only son, the future Alexander III.
Alexander died on the island of Kerrera in July, 1249, after falling ill, leading an expedition trying to recover the Hebridean islands, by force, from King Haakon IV of Norway. He was buried in Melrose Abbey.
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