Margaret of Hainaut was a 13th-century noblewoman born around 1240 in Hainaut, a region in present-day Belgium. She was the daughter of Baldwin II of Hainaut and Margaret of France. Margaret became the Queen of Scotland through her marriage to Alexander III of Scotland in 1251, which strengthened ties between Scotland and Hainaut. As queen, Margaret played a significant role in the political landscape of Scotland. She was known for her piety and support of the church. After Alexander III's death in 1286, Margaret's lineage continued to influence Scottish royalty, as her children were key figures in the succession crisis that followed.