Scotland's Tragic King James V was born in Linlithgow Palace on the tenth of April 1512, son of James IV and his Queen, Margaret Tudor. He was barely two years old when his father was killed at the ill-fated Battle of Flodden Field. His mother was entrusted with the Regency of Scotland on behalf of the young King. Never the most chaste of women, Margaret's habits were very similar to those of her brother, the English King Henry VIII. She married the 6th Earl of Angus, Archibald Douglas (1489 - 1557), in 1514, but quickly tired of him, and he was replaced in her affections by the younger Henry Stewart, a man of little power and vastly inferior rank. As a consequence, the Queen lost all control over her son, leaving the way clear for Douglas to become Regent of Scotland. John Stewart, Duke of Albany, also claimed the Regency, leading to the usual Scottish political power struggle. Although never having been officially confirmed as Regent, the Red Douglas remained in that position throughout the childhood of the young King, abetted by monies from the English, who were well content to see this situation continue. By the time James was old enough to take control of his own and the nations affairs, Douglas had built a powerful platform for himself and his family, and had no intention of allowing the King to spoil his position of power. Between 1526 and 1528, he was held prisoner by his step-father Archibald. Once he escaped James set about asserting control and did not conceal his hatred of the Red Douglas's and their English allies. The Douglas's discovered that the young King was not one to meekly accept such a situation, and following some political manoeuvring that would become the hallmark of his kingship, Douglas and all those bearing his name became outcasts in Scotland, and the reign of James V began in earnest. James began to ally himself with France, Scotland's traditional friend against his uncle, Henry VII of England. In 1537 he wooed and married Madeleine, daughter of Francis I of France. This union did not last, however, as the young Queen died, desperately mourned by her lovelorn husband, a few short months after their marriage. For political reasons the following year he married another French noblewoman, Mary of Guise (1515 - 1560), in 1538. Having been imprisoned by and lied to for years by Douglas, it appears that the King was not disposed to entirely trust those around him in Edinburgh. He took it upon himself to travel widely throughout Scotland, often completely alone, in the hope that he might hear at first hand the complaints of his subjects that would otherwise be unheard. When he travelled, the King used an assumed identity known only to a few of his closest attendants, "The Goodman of Ballengiech". This guise stood him in good stead, though nevertheless it often worried his courtiers. He did, however, often pay close heed to one of his principal advisers, Sir David Lindsay (author of 'Ane Satire of the Thrie Estaits' and other works) and Lindsay was often called upon to advise his Grace. His political manoeuvring and the religious problems inherent at the times meant that he was not always best loved by his nobles. Henry of England sought his support in the formation of his reformed Protestant Church, but James adhered to his Catholic faith. The Abbot of Fearn, Patrick Hamilton, was burned at St Andrews for heresy, the first Reformation martyr in Scotland. This led to a serious division between crown and subjects as James rejected Henry's attempts to win his support for the English religious policy, and in 1542 war broke out between the two countries. His nobles did not fully support him, and the army which moved towards England in 1542 was under-strength and poorly led. The Scots Army clashed with the English at Solway Moss and were resoundingly defeated. James retired to Falkland Palace in Fife, took to his bed, turned his face to the wall and lost interest in worldly matters. When he was informed of the birth of his daughter Mary (Mary Queen of Scots, 1542-1587), he is quoted as saying: "It cam wi' a lass, it'll gang wi' a lass", a reference to the House of Stuart and its history. He died shortly thereafter on the 14th December 1542. He was buried in Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh. Return to History Index |
