The Stewarts in Scotland 14th and 15th centuries
 |
Robert was better as a regent than a king. Anarchy, rebellion and internal squabbles disturbed the peace he wanted. Robert II died in 1390 and was succeeded by his son, Robert III. Owing to ill health, his brother, the Duke of Albany, assumed power and he abdicated in 1399 because of his bad health. For the next 25 years Scotland was ruled by regents, including Robert's son, David, Duke of Rothesay. Rothesay disappeared in mysterious circumstances, allegedly starved to death by his uncle, the Duke of Albany, who once again took office-this time as Regent. |
The ailing Robert III sent his grandson and heir, James I, to France, in 1406, fearing that Albany had plans to remove him from succession. The young prince was, however, captured by pirates and handed over to the English. Too shocked to go on living, Robert died a month later, leaving Albany in full power for 18 years while James was held hostage. Powerful nobles in Scotland seized the opportunity to consolidate their strength. They expanded their estates and built up private armies, many of them becoming as powerful as kings. Most notable among them was the Douglas family, whose lands and subjects rivalled those of the king. Meanwhile, in the northwest, the Lords of the Isles allied themselves with the English and continued to live their own fives with little regard for central government.
Back...
|
|
|
 |
 |
