as ruler of the semi-autonomous lordship of galloway, alan was courted by the scottish and english kings for his remarkable military might, and was noted in norse saga-accounts as one of the greatest warriors of his time. like other members of his family, he was a generous religious patron. alan died in february 1234. although under the traditional celtic custom of galloway, alan's illegitimate son could have succeeded to the lordship of galloway, under the feudal custom of the scottish realm, alan's nearest heirs were his surviving daughters. using alan's death as an opportunity to further integrate galloway within his realm, alexander forced the partition of the lordship amongst alan's daughters. alan was the last legitimate ruler of galloway, descending from the native dynasty of fergus, lord of galloway.