Alexander II's Tomb

"In the chancel Miss Scott [Walter’s daughter Sophia], a very charming, lively girl of seventeen, pointed out to us 'The Wizard's Grave,'and then the black stone in the form of a coffin, to which the allusion is made in the poem, 'A Scottish monarch sleeps below,'--said to be the tomb of Alexander II. 'But I will tell you a secret,' she half whispered;'only don't you tell Johnnie Bower. There is no Scottish monarch there at all, nor anybody else, for papa had the stone taken up, not long ago, and no coffin nor anything was to be found. And then Johnnie came and begged me not to tell people so. "For what wull I do, Miss Scott, when I show the ruins, if I canna point to this bit, and say,'A Scottish monarch sleeps below'?"' As, however, he had the pleasure of saying this to us the evening before, Miss Scott thought we might fairly have her secret....

Alexander II died on July 8, 1249.  The text above is from John Gibson Lockhart’s “Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott”, and describes a visit the Scott’s made to Melrose Abbey, where Alexander is said to be buried.  The visit took place in 1817.

Alexander II Crowned at Scone

'Alexander II.'s reign, though active, busy, and abounding in events, yet exhibits few incidents of that deeply influential character which affect future ages. These events are rather to be considered in the gross than in particular detail, and we shall revert to them hereafter, only stating here generally that Alexander's battles chiefly took place in endeavoring to give currency to the law in those parts of his kingdom which were still Celtic.'

The blurb above, from Sir Walter Scott's "Scotland", gives a flavor of Alexander II's era.  Alexander was the son of William I, the Lion of Scotland.  The unfortunate sacking of Berwick by John of England took place under Alexander's watch.  Alexander II was crowned king on December 6, 1214.