James I of Scotland

James I of Scotland, born on July twenty-fifth, 1394, was the youngest son of King Robert III and Annabella Drummond. His early life was marked by tragedy, as he lost his older brother David under suspicious circumstances and his other brother Robert died young. Fears for James's safety escalated in early 1406, prompting plans to send him to France. However, after an attack on his escort, he sought refuge in the Bass Rock castle, only to be captured by English pirates and delivered to King Henry IV of England.

During his eighteen years of captivity, James received a comprehensive education at the English Court, where he developed a respect for English governance and for Henry V. In a surprising turn of events, he joined Henry in military campaigns in France during the years 1420 and 1421. Upon his release in April 1424, he married Joan Beaufort, the daughter of the Earl of Somerset, just before re-entering Scottish affairs, which were met with mixed reactions due to his previous alliances.

James's reign was characterized by his desire to impose law and order, albeit selectively. He initiated pre-emptive strikes against nobles, beginning with the Albany Stewarts in 1425, leading to the execution of Duke Murdoch and his sons. His reign also saw the detention of Alexander, Lord of the Isles, and the arrest of Archibald, 5th Earl of Douglas, in 1431. Despite his efforts, the plight of ransom hostages in England was overlooked as funds were redirected towards grand projects like Linlithgow Palace.

Tragically, James's reign came to a violent end when he was assassinated in Perth during a coup led by his uncle Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, on the night of February twentieth to twenty-first, 1437. His wife, Queen Joan, although wounded, managed to escape and reach their son, who would become King James II.