James I

(James I of Scotland)

1394–1437

BRAVE CATHERINE TRIED IN VAIN TO HOLD BACK THE ASSASSINS.

James I was one of the early Stuart Kings, and was renowned for being a poet as well as a prince. He was captured by the English as a boy in 1406 while he was on the way to France. The English kept him imprisoned for 18 years, but treated him kindly, and provided him with English tutors. During his captivity he fell in love and married a relation of the English king, Henry Bolingbroke. His uncle, the Duke of Albany could have paid the ransom earlier, but declined to do so, and he was not able to return to Scotland and be crowned until he was nearly thirty years old.

He ruled the country wisely and maintained good relationships with the English. Eventually, however, he was assassinated during a complicated clan related dispute.

Key events during the life of James I of Scotland.:

Year	Event
1394	Birth of James I of Scotland
1406	Captured and imprisoned by the English for 18 years.
	Wrote The Kingis Quair and other poems while in captivity.
1423	Married Joan Beaufort in London.
1424	Crowned king of Scotland.
1437	James I assassinated by traitors.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
King James I of Scotland  in	Cambridge Historical Reader—Primary  by  Cambridge Press
Poet King  in	English Literature for Boys and Girls  by  H. E. Marshall
James I.—The Beautiful Lady of the Garden  in	Scotland's Story  by  Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall

Image Links
King James I of Scotland  in Cambridge Historical Reader—Primary	For there in the garden walked the fairest lady he had ever seen  in Scotland's Story	Brave Catherine tried in vain to keep them back  in Scotland's Story

Contemporary	Short Biography
Henry IV	Son of John of Gaunt. Assumed the throne after Richard II was deposed.
Joan Beaufort	Cousin of Henry VI and
Duke of Albany	Uncle of James I, and regent for much of his reign.