King James V 1513 - 1542
 |
There followed a period of more turmoil and intrigue until the king was old enough to take office and try to restore order to his country. Ignoring several offers of brides, he chose French Madeleine, who only lived for two months after their marriage. The following year he took a second French wife, Marie de Guise Lorraine, who bore him two sons, both of whom died. |
James was an ingenuous man. He liked to disguise himself as a commoner and mingle with his subjects, fooling no one but himself, and getting into several unfortunate escapades.
He squabbled with the English, aggravated his nobles, and tried to invade England. His mutinous army, quarrelling amongst itself, was defeated by Henry VIII's army, at Solway Moss, in 1542. Sick and despairing, James returned to Falkland Palace where he heard that his wife had just given birth to a daughter. The news was too much for him and he died, leaving as his heir Mary, Queen of Scots, only a few days old.
Back...
|
|
|
 |
 |
