James I (1394-1437) inherited the throne of Scotland in 1406 and ruled from 1424 until 1437. He was a strong king. He reduced the power of the Scottish nobles and centralized control of the government. James was also a poet and a patron of the arts. He probably composed a book of poetry called The Kingis Quair (The King’s Book) around 1424.
James was born in Dunfermline in southeastern Scotland, probably in late July 1394. His father was King Robert III. Robert had been severely injured by a horse in 1388. Robert’s younger brother, who became the duke of Albany in 1398, handled many government responsibilities. In 1402, James’s older brother, David, died under suspicious circumstances after being imprisoned by Albany. In March 1406, Robert sent James to France for safety, but English pirates captured the ship carrying the young prince. Robert died in April.
The English sailors turned James over to Henry IV of England. The English held James for ransom until 1424. James lived at the royal court during much of his captivity. Albany governed Scotland and was in no hurry to bring James home. After Albany died in 1420, his son Murdoch Stewart took over, and the country fell into disorder.
James returned to Scotland in April 1424, after England and Scotland finally negotiated his release. After he developed a group of supporters among the nobility, he had Murdoch executed. James worked to centralize political power in royal hands and dealt harshly with other powerful nobles who might challenge him. He brought the country’s finances under closer royal supervision. His reforms in administering justice gained him popularity with the people. However, a small group of nobles conspired against the king and had him murdered on Feb. 21, 1437.
