History of the Stewarts | Famous Stewarts
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Whilst James I was captive at the English Court he won the affections of Joan Beaufort, a
She was a daughter of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, and Margaret Holland, and a half-niece of King Henry IV of England. She is said to have been the inspiration for James´s famous poem, The Kingis Quair, written during his captivity after he saw her from his window in the garden. However, the marriage was at least partially political as their marriage was part of the agreement for his release from captivity, and from an English perspective an alliance with the Beauforts was meant to establish his country´s alliance with the English, rather than the French. Negotiations resulted in Joan´s dowry of 10,000 merks being subtracted from his substantial ransom.
On 12 February 1424, Joan Beaufort and King James were married at St Mary Overie Church in Southwark. They were feasted at Winchester Palace that year by her uncle Cardinal Henry Beaufort. She accompanied her husband on his return from captivity in England to Scotland, and was crowned alongside her husband at Scone Abbey.
The royal couple had eight children, including the future James II, and Margaret of Scotland, spouse of Louis XI of France.
After the assassination of her husband, Joan took revenge on his murderers and took charge of the six year old James II at Edinburgh Castle. The prospect of being ruled by an English woman was unpopular. The Earl of Douglas was appointed as Regent, though Joan remained in charge of her son. James II was crowned at Holyrood Abbey on March 25, 1437.
Near the end of July 1439, she married James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne after obtaining a papal dispensation for both consanguinity and affinity. James was an ally of the latest Earl of Douglas, and plotted with him to overthrow Alexander Livingston, governor of Stirling Castle, during the minority of James II. Livingston arrested Joan in August 1439 and forced her to sign over custody of the young king. In 1445, the conflict continued and she was besieged at Dunbar Castle, where she died on 15 July 1445.
She was buried in the Carthusian Priory at Perth.
Issue with James I
Margaret Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1424–1445) married Prince Louis, Dauphin of Viennois (later King Louis XI of France)
Isabella Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1426–1494) married Francis I, Duke of Brittany
Mary Stewart, Countess of Buchan (died 1465) married Wolfart VI van Borsselen
Joan of Scotland, Countess of Morton (c. 1428–1486) married James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Rothesay (born and died 1430); Twin of James
James II of Scotland (1430–1460)
Annabella Stewart, Princess of Scotland married and divorced 1. Louis of Savoy, and then married and divorced 2. George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly
Eleanor Stewart, Princess of Scotland (1433–1484) married Sigismund, Archduke of Austria.
Issue with James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne
John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl (c. 1440 – 1512)
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan (d. 1498/1500)
Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Moray (c. 1443 – 1501)
