James V (1513-1542)

Minority Rule

Born in 1512 James (Stewart) V was the 'product' of the Thistle and the Rose (James IV and Margaret of Tudor). As his father died had died on the Flodden battlefield when he was only 17.5 months old Scotland came under minority rule again. This caused much factionalism on top of which there was widespread political destabilisation as a result of the main leaders of politics being wiped away at Flodden.

During his Minority, his right to remain king was unchallenged. Mainly there was a lot of infighting between the nobility.

James IV wife remarried to Archibald Douglas who was the Earl of Angus in 1514. Now, Angus was a supporter of Henry VIII as as a result the king of England had no objections to his sister re-marrying. In fact, he saw an opportunity of being able to control Scotland through his sister (Margaret of Tudor).

There was a call in the Scottish nobility to make John Stewart, duke of Albany the Regent of Scotland. By appointing JS to Regent would ensure a French slant to Scottish politics. This happened in 1515. This was a post that Margaret of Tudor expected to inherit and consequently a rift between the two parties were caused. The Treaty of Rouen (1517) played its part in Franc-Scottish relations during this time of James V's minority rule outlining the military alliance between the two countries.

During the Regency, the Duke of Albany moved to France to look over his lands there and during his absence (in 1524) Margaret, who was by now regarded as a strong Queen Mother, and James Hamilton - the duke of Arran - took over the Regency by coup.

While this was happening, the marriage relations of Margaret and Angus were ailing leading to pro-English Angus taking the decision to move to England. However, with the support of Henry VIII Angus returned to Scotland and formed an opposition party to the Queen Mother. A custody agreement of the king ensued, whereby it was agreed for the king to visit each of the 4 greatest magnates on a rotational basis. The magnate who had the king could then use his influence to rule the land. However in 1526, Angus failed to hand the king over to the next maganate and kept the king imprisoned. As long as Angus had the physical king he had power in government and politics. Fortunately for James V, at 16yo, he was able to escape in 1528 when he fled from Edinburgh Castle to Stirling castle where he ruled his minority was at an end and he was taking control. James V was never to forget or forgive Angus for imprisoning him.

His Reputation

Greedy, Authoritarian, Unpleasant, Vindictive

James V had vengeance to take out on Angus and consequently had the State oppose Angus and his relations resulting in Angus' family being subjected to accounts of treason, depriving certain nobles with connections to Angus of priviledges, and in some instances revoking their land and titles.

He gained the reputation of being unpleasant and vindictive (according to Wormald and Oram). Many thought that James' treatment of those who had connections with Angus was of relentless punishment and solely for financial and personal gain - as those he targeted were wealthy nobles. It is said James had a Black List of 350 nobles and barons that could be convicted of heresy or had had lands donated spuriously to them by the state. Various border families were attacked including the Armstrongs, Maxwells, Humes and Johnsons.

James was regarded as being greedy and being authoritorian having used his powers against specific targets. For example, in the case of Lady Glamis, she was burnt at the stake in 1537 for treason. She was accused of trying to poison the king. This lead to an outcry by contemporary Scots and was regarded as an appaling act. James Hamilton of Finnart was executed for conspiring (with Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie) to kill the king - many years after it was believed he had been rehabilitated.

Considerate, Forward Thinker

James V passed many Acts to help those in lower social orders. to some he was regarded as the 'poor man's king'. He was championed for designing an advocate for the poor - something similar to a 16th century Legal Aid system. This helped by ensuring specific tenants could be evicted from land. It also included the abolishment of mortuary dues. There is also a myth that James would disguise himself and talk with people outwith his court to find out what the common folk really thought of him and his rule.
In his majority, he ruled like his father, pushing scotland forward culturally through the Renaissance. He was also able to restore royal authority over nobility and kept relatively good relations with his uncle, Henry VIII.

In 1535 the practice of nominating vacant prelices was officiated by the Scotland and the Pope. During the time of James II, this practice was established wherby it was permitted for the king to choose a successor to the church post upon the death of a bishop, archbishop, etc. James IV used this practice to 'extort' funds from the church coffers by installing his illegitemate son, Alexander, as Archbishop of St Andrews - even though he was only 11 years old. This wasn't such a bad move as his son got a good education from Erasmus and founded a new college.

It is fair to say in normal circumstances the Pope would never have agreed to this idea however the rise in Luthernism and Protestantism was on the increase, and as James V was opposed to these the Pope saw it as a good move in such difficult pressing times. In 1525 an Act was passed thereafter to ensure the threat and spread of heresay (Luthernism) were reisisted.

Scotland's Finances

During his minority, Scotland's finances had plummeted bearing in mind that under James IV, crown income had exceeded £40,000/year. In his majority, James V saw the opportunity to correct this decline in income and assets. He did this mainly by Restitution, that is by recovering crown lands and revenues which had been dished out previously. Restitution was the legal entitlement of succeding kings to reclaim assets from others. This was usually done to punish the nobility, however James V enacted his legal right to swell the Crown coffers - hence his reputation of being greedy and vindictive. To enforce restitution, he employed treasurers. At this time however, being treasurer was seen to be more of a burdon than priviledge.

During his rule, he also had his own coins minted: the silver duchat and the gold groat. James V's portrait could be seen on each coin wearing the Imperial Crown - again asserting his right to the kingdom of Scotland.

James and the Church

James was quite cunning and politically aware of the religious dynamism going on in Europe with the spread of Luthernism. He used this situation to his advantage in order that the Crown could gain access to more of the church's coffers! Over 4 years, he had pulled in £72,000 in taxes! Some of which was used to create the college of Justice (1532), the remainder was used in national architectural building projects and building up Scotland's stock of Arms.

He was able to manipulate Pope Paul III into taking control of the church in Scotland - the papal authority feared James may well start up his own catholic church. In return he had to ensure Roman Catholism continued and the threat of Protestantism was kept at bay. James installed his illegitimate children as administrators (lay commendators) at the Abbeys of Kelso, Melrose and Holyrood as well as at the Priories of Coldingham, St Andrews and Pittenweeth. Their roles as administrators were akin to being accountants for the holy see. Some people question the use of neputism here. However in this day, neputism was common practice and wholly acceptable. Why should its use in the church be any different?

The marriages of James V
James knew a foreign bride would bring with her a good sized dowry, which is why he set his sights on scouring fror a bride in Europe. He wasn't shy from the ladies - by the age of 20 he had already fathered 7 children - one of whom was to grow up to become the Earl of Moray, the half brother of Mary Queen of Scots.

1536-7 James went on a 9 month 'bride-hunting' trip. During this time, there was no unrest in Scotland and civil and political life continued as normal (no revolts or coups) - it was apparent that James had installed a loyal government and eliminated the threat that Angus posed. It wasn'tthe norm for a king to be absent from his land for so long. There had always been a state figurehead in the past.
During this trip James decided it best to seek out a French bride as a means of strengthening the Auld Alliance (however only after being rejected by Mary of hungary who was repulsed at the idea of marrying such a young boy!). He had heard about Marie of Burgundy, and had agreed a dowry for her. however, upon seeing a potrait of her he cringed at the thought of marrying 'a misshapen hunchback' and increased his dowry by demanding the Order of St. Michel and rights of access to all the french ports. His offer was knocked back - much to James' relief.

He did eventually get his French bride in the form of King Francis' daughter Princess Madeline. There was a bit of havering but due to the breakdown of the English Alliance with France and a renewal of war with the holy roman Empire Francis reluctantly agreed - at an expense of £100,000 dowry. James brought his wife to Scotland but she died a few weeks later - perhaps with TB. James and the French king struck up a good relationship, even despite the death of his daughter.

James was ready to wed again, and looked upon France again. this time Mary de Guise of Lorraine took his fancy. His main competition was his uncle, Henry VIII, but the French king decided James should marry Mary. They had two sons - 1540, 1541 (named them James and Arthur just like his father had done) but they died in infancy in 1541. however, in December 1542, Mary Stewart was born who would later rule over Scotland.

Relations with England

In 1541-2 relations with English worsened. The Scottish Council refused for James V to meet with Henry VIII in York or indeed on English soil for fear of his capture. The Scottish Church likewise didn't want James going to see his uncle as the church feared Henry may persuade James to abandon the RC church. Consequently, Henry saw this refusal as an insult and coordinated an invasion to Scotland while in France. The basis of the battle was Henry's desire to renew the age-old claims of feudal suzernity, ie the feudal overlordship over scottish kings. although Scotland had success at the battle of Berwick under Lord Maxwell, the Scots were defeated on 24/11/1542 at Solway Moss. The following month, December 14th, James V died , aged 30, (believed to be either from nervous exhaustion / broken heart due to the defeat against England / he lost the will to live / or perhaps dissentry/the plague/cholera, etc.

The death of James V left Scotland with (a long) minority rule yet again. This time under Mary, Queen of Scots who was only 6 months old when her dad died.

It was once said that Scotland's rule would begin with a lass and end with a lass! this on the premise that Scotland was first ruled under Margaret, Maid of Norway and ending with MQoS.

Foreword

This blog is going to be the place where I sum up the learning from the class and hopefully help me to more fully understand gain a better insight into Scotland's history.