James V of Scotland
James V of Scotland (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) became king when he was just a baby, following the death of his father, James IV of Scotland, in 1513. He was crowned at only 17 months old. Since he was so young, Scotland was ruled by regents, starting with his mother, Margaret Tudor, and later by his cousin, John Stewart, Duke of Albany.
James V | |
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King of Scotland | |
9 September 1513 – 14 December 1542 | |
21 September 1513 | |
Predecessor | James IV |
Successor | Mary |
Born | Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow, Scotland | 10 April 1512
Died | 14 December 1542 Falkland Palace, Fife, Scotland | (aged 30)
Burial | January 1543 |
Spouse | Madeleine of Valois (1537) Mary of Guise (1538–42) |
Issue | |
House | Stewart |
Father | James IV of Scotland |
Mother | Margaret Tudor or Margaret of England |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
James took control of his kingdom in 1528, after escaping from his stepfather, Archibald Douglas. He then exiled Douglas and took away the lands of the powerful Douglas family. James worked to strengthen the kingdom by tightening control over royal estates, customs, and the justice system. He founded the College of Justice in 1532 and acted to bring more order to troubled areas like the Scottish Borders and the Hebrides.
He married twice, both times to French noblewomen—Madeleine of Valois and later Mary of Guise—strengthening ties with France. Though Protestantism began to spread in Scotland during his reign, James stayed Catholic. He used his loyalty to the Catholic Church to increase his power and was even granted the title "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope.
James was known for being suspicious of his nobility and took harsh measures against them, but he was also seen as a "poor man's king" for helping the common people. He spent money on the arts and built many royal buildings in a grand style.
James died after a Scottish defeat by the English at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. His only surviving child,Mary, Queen of Scots, was just six days old when she became queen.
James V Of Scotland Media
John Stewart, Duke of Albany, regent of James V from 1515 to 1524
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, James V's step-father
The four European orders of chivalry to which James V belonged — Garter, Thistle, Golden Fleece and St Michael — on the outer gate he built at his birthplace, Linlithgow Palace
The James V Tower at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Façade of Falkland Palace in the French Renaissance style
Portrait of Madeleine of Valois by Corneille de Lyon
Portrait of Mary of Guise attributed to Corneille de Lyon, c. 1537
Statue at Stirling Castle, said to depict the Gudeman of Ballengeich
Groat of James V, Edinburgh mint, 1526 × 1539
Other websites
Media related to James V of Scotland at Wikimedia Commons