BIRTH OF JAMES IV OF SCOTLAND
James IV was Scotland’s Renaissance king. Potentially as influential and powerful as his neighbouring ruler Henry VIII of England.
However, James IV was destined to die at the Battle of Flodden, a critical moment in the complex and combative relationship between England and Scotland.
James was born on 17th March 1473.
By 1486, when James was 13, Prince James’ mother had died, and the unstable reign of James’ father was unraveling.
In June 1488, either in the course of the Battle of Sauchieburn or after, King James III was killed.
Prince James became King at the age of sixteen, and was crowned at Scone on June 24th 1488.
James was a patron of the arts and took an active interest in the law, literature and science.
Under James´ rule, he extended royal administration to the west and north.
The Highlands and Islands now fell under direct royal control.
James saw the importance of building a fleet of ships, that could provide Scotland with a strong maritime presence.
James founded two new dockyards for this purpose and acquired a total of 38 ships for the Royal Scots Navy, including the ‘Michael’, the largest warship of its time.
Relations between Scotland and England were difficult.
In 1495, James supported the pretender Perkin Warbeck in his claim to the English throne, and carried out a brief invasion of England on his behalf in September 1496.
On 10th December 1502, James signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with Henry VII.
This was the first peace treaty between Scotland and England since 1328.
King James then accepted Henry VII´s offer of his daughter Princess Margaret Tudor, as a bride.
´The Marriage of the Thistle and the Rose´ took place at Holyroodhouse Palace on 8th August 1503.
James recognised that peace between Scotland and England was in the interest of both countries, and established good diplomatic relations with England.
When Henry VIII invaded France in 1513, James felt that he must assist Scotland´s ally France, under the ´Auld Alliance´.
James led his army – one of the largest ever to cross the border – south.
The English forces inflicted a crushing defeat in the disastrous Battle of Flodden, three miles south-east of Coldstream, Northumberland on 9th September 1513.
Despite the potential numerical advantage of the Scottish army, the location chosen by the Scots to adopt attacks by their close-formation pikemen was totally inadequate.
Failed by his own rashness and desire to be at the fore of his army himself, James IV led the charge against the English.
During the close fighting, King James was shot in the mouth by an English arrow.
Many of Scotland’s young warriors fell alongside their king.
With them also died the dreams of James IV for a Renaissance court of arts and sciences in Scotland.
At forty years of age, the king who had brought splendour and glory to his people and his country, was dead, and an ignominious fate awaited his body.
The battle continued after his death, and his corpse lay in a pile of others for a day, before it was discovered.
James’ body was taken to Branxton Church, revealing many wounds from arrows and slashes from billhooks. It was then taken to Berwick, disembowelled and embalmed, before it was taken to London in a lead coffin.
Katharine of Aragon received the surcoat of the King of Scots, still covered in blood, which she sent to Henry in France…..
? James IV, King of Scots – 15th Century.
Unknown artist.
Scottish National Gallery.
