Birth of James III, King of Scots
James III endured a turbulent reign.
Having survived war with England and rebellions by Scotland’s nobles, he was eventually killed in or after, the battle of Sauchieburn.
James was the first surviving son born to King James II and his wife, Mary of Guelders.
The exact date and place of James’s birth have been a matter of debate.
Claims have been made that he was born in either May 1452, or on 10th July 1451.
James became King of Scots at the age of just nine, in 1460.
His father James II, was killed by a backfiring cannon.
James was artistic and sensitive, both admirable qualities, but they were not the qualities that made a successful Medieval King – especially in such an unruly country as Scotland
The common people of Scotland become increasingly annoyed by their King’s lack of competence as a ruler.
They suffered severely from poor harvests, famine, plague, and soaring inflation.
James’ unwillingness to administer fair justice, and a policy of pursuing an English alliance, caused him to be intensely disliked.
By the early 1480s, the king was estranged from his wife, Margaret of Denmark, and was increasingly becoming alienated from his eldest son.
James problems quickly escalated, and on 11th June 1488, he faced an army led by his 15-year-old son, James IV.
The king, supposedly carrying the sword of Robert the Bruce, led his men into battle against the rebels, near Stirling.
The exact location of the battle remains unknown, it only became known as the Battle of Sauchieburn centuries later.
Despite the presence of the Bruce’s sword, the battle, unfortunately, went for the rebels.
The King was either killed in battle, or forced to flee.
The death of King James III, and exactly what happened, is one of the biggest mysteries, and most infamous unsolved murders in Scottish history.
This is where the story of a humble miller and his wife, enters the legend.
They supposedly rescued the injured monarch, and put him in their stable.
As the miller removed James’ heavy armour, the miller’s wife went out to fetch help.
A man claiming to be a priest offered to assist them.
As James asked for confession, the man pulled out a dagger and stabbed him in the chest, five times.
Another version of the story has the King killed by the fall from his horse, or slain on the battlefield by enemy soldiers.
The chronicles are so varied, the truth of who killed James, and how, will never really be known.
The body of 36 year old James III, was taken to Cambuskenneth Abbey.
He was buried before the high altar of the abbey church, alongside that of his Queen, Margaret.
His son King James IV apparently wore an iron chain for the rest of his life – to punish himself for his role in his father’s death….
