History of the Stewarts | Famous Stewarts
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After assuming personal control of Scotland in 1468, James proved to be an unpopular king given to promoting unrealistic plans at the expense of his regular duties as king and head of the realm. Further, his preference for his own favourites at court alienated many powerful nobles as well as members of his own family. The high point of his reign came as an unexpected bonus from his marriage in 1469 to Margaret of Denmark. A dowry of 80,000 Guilders was agreed as part of the marriage terms with a sum payable upfront and the rest mortgaged against the Orkney and Shetland islands. Unexpectedly the Danes could not raise the full amount and Scotland, as their due, claimed ownership of the islands. In rather unusual circumstances Scotland had expanded its territories.
Dissent and open rebellion were eventually to mar James reign. James´ desire for an alliance with England was unpopular. His plans to marry his son to the daughter of the English king, Edward IV, raised the spectre of raised taxation to pay for the wedding at time when the Scottish economy was suffering.
By the late 1470´s James´ unpopularity led to conflict. Tense relationships with his brothers Alexander, Duke of Albany, and John, Earl of Mar, threatened to end his reign. First John died in suspicious circumstances in Edinburgh, and then Alexander was exiled after being charged with treason.
With relations with England souring, Alexander made a sudden re-appearance in Scotland – as part of an English invasion force. Alexander had struck a deal with the English king and he was back to claim the throne that he believed was rightfully his.
In 1482 the invasion force captured Berwick-Upon-Tweed making it permanently a part of England. James raised an army but snubbed the leading nobles by placing his favourites in key positions of command. For the disgruntled nobility of Scotland this was the final straw. James´ favourites were murdered and James was taken prisoner and held at Edinburgh Castle. James was only saved when the English force failed to take the castle and, having run out of money and patience, returned home.
James failed to learn the lessons from the events of 1482. He still attempted to court an alliance with England and still promoted his favourites at the expense of the greater nobility. Matters worsened when the increasingly isolated king became estranged from his wife and eldest son, James.
In 1488 James faced another revolt. Again the nobles rose against him – only this time they had the king´s son with them. The young prince was angered by his father´s favouritism for his younger brother and feared that his right to succeed his father a king would be denied him joined the rebel lords.
James raised an army and met the rebel force at Sauchieburn, outside Stirling. It is unknown whether James III was killed in the battle or while fleeing. He is buried at Cambuskenneth Abbey. Accounts of 16th-century chroniclers such as Adam Abell, Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, John Leslie and George Buchanan alleged that the king was assassinated near Bannockburn, soon after the battle.
James married Margaret of Denmark in July 1469 at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. Christian I of Denmark gave the Orkney and Shetland Islands to Scotland in lieu of a dowry. The marriage produced three sons:
James IV of Scotland
James Stewart, Duke of Ross
John Stewart, Earl of Mar
Reference: Scottish National Portrait Gallery
