[MR] Wikipedia: Death of James II, King of Scots

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, especially fellow Scots,

On this date in 1460, King of Scots James II died in a tragic accident.

Born in 1430, James had a prominent facial birthmark, and was known behind
his back as "James of the Fiery Face". The mark supposedly was a reflection
of his volatile temper. While more successful as a ruler than most of the
other Stuarts, and popular with the common people, James was both ruthless
and relentless at persecuting his enemies. James had a talent for making
enemies, so there was a lot of blood spilled during his reign.

He came to the Scottish throne as a six-year-old child when his father
James I was assassinated in a Perth sewer on 21 February 1437. That's a
tale for another time. James II "ruled" under a regency, and as was usual
in Scottish politics, it was a violent time as various families and
factions vied for control of the young King. The Livingston family held the
regency and used the office to further their own power. This included the
assassination of two young Black Douglas lords before the horrified King at
what was known as the "Black Dinner".

As an adult, James struggled with his Black Douglas allies and former
supporters, whose own power became a potential threat to the crown. Most
famously he invited William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas, to a truce dinner
at Stirling Castle in 1452. During the dinner, James drew his dagger and
stabbed the Earl 21 times. The murder was further sealed by James' other
supporters adding their blows. The unfortunate Earl's body was then
defenestrated into what is still known as the "Douglas Garden". This opened
the way for the other Douglas clan, the Red Douglases, to rise in power by
toadying up to the King.

James' life ended during a siege at Roxburgh Castle, the last Scottish
stronghold held by the English. Like most Scots, James loved things that go
bang! This usually meant cannons. He was personally supervising the guns
used in the siege when one of the largest exploded. A huge piece of
shrapnel severed the King's thigh, and he bled to death in a matter of
seconds.

You can read more about James at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_II_of_Scotland .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Keeping Merry Rose relevant for 16 years.