Figure 1.--Scottish artist John Faed painted this historical work, Queen Margaret's Defiance of the Scottish Parliament' in 1859. Apparently Faed subscribed to the Hollywood school of historical imagery and set the at the gates of Edinburgh Castle rather than Stirling Castle. No one knows why. The accuracy of the fashions depicted is unclear, but notice that no kilts are depicted.

James was born at Linlithgow, the son of King James IV and Margaret Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VII and sister to the future Henry VIII (1512). James father was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field (1513). The Scottish Parliament attempted to seize his children, especially the heir to the throne--James V. Queen Margaret stood up to them. The Queen confronted the Lords at the gates of Stirling Castle. The Queen was thus able to maintain her status as regent. Queen Margaret was unable to hold out long. She had to renounced her position as regent after marrying Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. Parliament then seized the children and turned them over to their uncle John Stewart, Duke of Albany. James' childhood became a struggle between Scottish factions favoring England or France. James was not an imposing soverign and was not healthy. He also led a rather irregular life sttle. He was, however, a strong-minded, politically astute soverign whonastutely pursued an independent course for Scotland. He understood the efforts of his Uncle King Henry VII to control him, He also resisted the Scottish nobels attempting to reduce the perogatives of the monarchy. James was a popular king. His habit of mingling with the peasantry endeared them to him. James refused to meet King Henry at York (1536). Pope Paul III presented him with a cap and sword. James fter the break with Henry became the target of English assasinatiomn plots. There was also a failed kidnap plot. Henry concerned about resistance to his relgious policies, made an effort to mend fences (1540). When this failed, he ordered an invasion of Scotland (1542). James moved to block the invasion, but the Scottish nobels refused to provide much support. James forces were defeated at Solway Moss. A disheartened James died a few weeks later, shortly after the birth of his daughter Mary who would play a central role in Stuart Dyanastic history. Mbr>

Parents

James was born at Linlithgow, the son of King James IV and Mary Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VII and sister to the future Henry VIII (1512).

Childhood

James father was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field (1513). The Scottish Parliament attempted to seize his children, especially the heir to the throne--James V. Queen Margaret stood up to them. The Queen confronted the Lords at the gates of Stirling Castle and forced them to state what they were doing. The then ordered the portcullis of the Castle closed, making it impossible to seize the children. The Queen was thus able to maintain her status as regent. Queen Margaret was unable to hold out long. She had to renounced her position as regent after marrying Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. Parliament then seized the children and turned them over to their uncle John Stewart, Duke of Albany. James' childhood became a struggle between Scottish factions. One side was favorable if not allied with England and led by Angus. The other faction was favored France and led by Albany. The queen-mother Margaret and the nobles struggled to gain control of the boy and the status of regent. The English did not follow up their victory at Flodden with the occupation of Scotland. There were border forays, but no major move north. King Henry Henry VIII followed developments in Scotland carefully. Other European sovereigns, especially French King Francis I were interested in a Scotch alliance. Albany retired to France (1524).

Erection

Parliament declared James ready to govern, but that he must be advised by his mother and a council. The Scotts called this James' "erection". Henry VIII strongly promoted it. James step-father, Angus, gained control of him (1526) and kept his confined to the courrt under close supervision.

Independence

James finally escaped (1528). James escaped Angus and Edinburgh and reached Stirling. James from Stirling moved against Angus abnd forced him to seek refuge in England. King James then moved against independent-minded vassals in the south (1529-30). After a series of raids and counter-raids a peace treaty was signed with England (1534), but James was very suspicious of King Henry's intentions. .

Marriages

James as a young man began to consider marriage. This raised all kinds of political and diplomatic questions, especially with the English. King Henry wanted him to marry his daughter Mary. Emperor Charles V had other suggestions.

Mary of Lorraine (1537)

James decided on a French bride. He married Madeleine, third daughter of King Francis I, at Notre Dame in Paris (1537). Madeleine died, however, soon after returning to Scotland with James, probably of tuberculosis. She had suceeded in gaining popularity in Scotland, having knelt upon her arrival and kissed Scottish soil. Public mourning was worn in Scotland for the first time.

Mary of Guise/Lorraine (1538)

James quickly married again to Mary (1515-1560), daughter of Claude, Duke of Guise (1538). She was the widow of Louis of Orleans, Duke of Longueville. This appears to have been an important factor in deciding James on an anti-English foreign policy. James; choice was a political act, essentially confirming his alliance to France. Henry the VIII was furious with James, not only for political reasons, but because Mary had been on his list of potential brides. Mary responded to Henryventraties that through her stature was large, her neck was little.

Children

James and Mary of Guise had two sons but both died died in infancy before their daughter Mary was born at Linlithgow Palace (1542). James died at Falkland, having just heard of her birth. She was the only surving legitimate heir and became Mary Queen of Scots. James left several illigitimate children, including James Stewart, earl of Murray (the regent Murray), Lord John Stewart (1531-1563) prior of Coldingham, and Lord Robert Stewart, earl of Orkney (15??-92).

Religion

James reign was an era of religious change as Calvinism spread in Catholic Scotland. There were severe persecutions by Catholic religious authorities. Janes did not play a major role in this. The principal figure was David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. James was stronly supported by the Church which was concerned that the King might like Henry in England embrace the Reformation.

Conflict with England

James was not an imposing soverign and was not healthy. He also led a rather irregular life sttle. He was, however, a strong-minded, politically astute soverign whonastutely pursued an independent course for Scotland. He understood the efforts of his Uncle King Henry VII to control him, He also resisted the Scottish nobels attempting to reduce the perogatives of the monarchy. James was a popular king. His habit of mingling with the peasantry endeared them to him. James refused to meet King Henry at York (1536). Pope Paul III presented him with a cap and sword. James fter the break with Henry became the target of English assasinatiomn plots. There was also a failed kidnap plot. Henry concerned about resistance to his relgious policies, made an effort to mend fences (1540). When this failed, he ordered an invasion of Scotland (1542). James moved to block the invasion, but the Scottish nobels refused to provide much support. James forces were defeated at Solway Moss. A disheartened James died a few weeks later, shortly after the birth of his daughter Mary.

Created: 4:57 AM 9/2/2010
Last updated: 4:57 AM 9/2/2010