James I of Scotland

Also known as: IAMES STEWARD / Iames / Iames K. of Scots / Iames Steward / Iames the king of Scots / James I / yoong Iames of Scotland · Family: Scotland · Role: prince · First appears: Henry IV 20

In 1406, Robert III sent his eldest son James, then a child of no more than nine, toward France for safety and education under Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney and Charles VI. Their ship landed at Flamborough in Yorkshire and was intercepted; on 30 March James was taken to Windsor and detained by Henry IV, despite his father’s request for leniency.

During his long stay in England, James was kept with Henry V at the siege of Melun, where an appeal to the Scottish defenders failed because they would not recognize a king held in another’s power. He later served as principal mourner at Henry’s funeral. After about eighteen years, James married Joan Beaufort, daughter of the Earl of Somerset and cousin of Henry VI, and was sent home to rule Scotland.

In 1424, James was released after agreeing to further payment and leaving hostages, and before leaving England he performed homage to Henry VI for Scotland. In Scotland he was married to Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots, while his daughter Margaret Stewart was matched with Louis XI as part of a proposed French-Scottish league. Around 1431, James sent ambassadors to seek peace with Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, and the three estates concluded it after lengthy debate.