King William the Lion was a Scottish monarch who reigned from 1165 to 1214. He was the son of King Malcolm IV and became known for his strong leadership and efforts to strengthen the Scottish crown. His reign was marked by conflicts with the English crown, particularly with King Henry II of England. William was captured during the Battle of Alnwick in 1174, leading to the Treaty of Falaise, which temporarily placed Scotland under English control. After his release, he worked to restore Scotland's independence and improve its governance. His legacy includes the establishment of royal authority and the promotion of Scottish culture.