James IV

17 March 1473-9 September 1513. King of Scotland 1488-1513. [these phrases are found verbatim in another source, please adapt] and ascended the throne when he was only fifteen years old. His father was James III who was king of Scotland until his death in 1488. Because he was killed in a battle James IV needed to succeed to the throne after his father. James IV is said to have been a popular ruler. He united Scotland under royal control and improved the position of Scotland in Europe. He spoke various languages such as Latin, French, German, Flemish, Italian and Spanish [see comment above]. Under his reign, The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, St. Leonard´s College, St. Andrews and King´s College in Aberdeen were founded.

But during his reign there were also many wars with England and in 1495 James IV prepared for an invasion of England as he supported Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the throne of England. In the end in 1497 a seven-year peace was negotiated.

In 1503, James IV married Margaret Tudor, the daughter of the king of England Henry VII. This political marriage stabilized the relationship between England and Scotland. James had one son together with Margaret, James V.

The relationship between Scotland and England was again weakened as Henry VIII entered the throne. Therefore, James VI allied with France in 1512. When Henry VIII invaded France in 1513, James took the chance and invaded England. He captured four castles in the north of England. This lead to the Battle of Flodden, where the Scottish army was defeated by the English. The battle toot place near Branxton on 9 September 1513. James VI was killed during this battle as he was fighting on foot.

Sources

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James IV: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-IV-king-of-Scotland James IV (r.1488-1513): https://www.royal.uk/james-iv-r1488-1513