James I (1406-1437)

James I (1394 - February 21, 1437) was a Scottish monarch who ruled between 1406 and his death in 1437.

Life[edit]

James became King of Scotland in 1406, at the age of 12, following the death of his father, Robert III. During his childhood, James was captured by the English army, and was subsequently educated in several palaces in and around London on the orders of Henry VI of England. James returned to Scotland in 1420 after Scottish Nobles finally agreed to pay the huge ransom for his release. He married his childhood sweetheart Joan Beaufort, cousin of Henry VI in London in 1423. James I was finally crowned in 1424 and immediately began using his authority to great effect. He had his powerful rivals, the Albany family, executed, and he changed Scottish laws on finance and various other matters. He also renewed the "auld alliance" (or 'old alliance') between Scotland and France in 1428. James was killed in an attempted coup in 1437.

He was succeeded by his son James II of Scotland in 1437.

Sources[edit]

• Kings and Queens of Scotland, Otter Books, 199(4?)
• The Oxford Junior Encyclopedia Vol.5, Oxford University Press, 1960