James (of Scotland) I

King of Scots (1424–37), born in Dunfermline, Fife, E Scotland, UK, the second son of Robert III. After his elder brother David was murdered at Falkland (1402), allegedly by his uncle, the Duke of Albany, James was sent for safety to France, but was captured by the English, and remained a prisoner for 18 years. Albany meanwhile ruled Scotland as governor until his death in 1420, when his son, Murdoch, assumed the regency, and the country rapidly fell into disorder. Once released (1424), James dealt ruthlessly with potential rivals to his authority, executing Murdoch and his family. He brought state finance under his direct control and curtailed the power of the nobles. He improved the administration of justice for the common people, raising his popularity, but he was assassinated by a small group of dissidents led by Sir Robert Stewart. James was the first of many Stewart kings to act as a patron of the arts, and almost certainly wrote the tender, passionate collection of poems, The Kingis Quair (‘The King's Quire’ or book), c.1423–4.

King James I of Scotland
King of Scots
Reign	April 4, 1406 – February 21, 1437
Coronation	May 2 or 21, 1424
Born	December 10, 1394 Edinburgh Castle
Died	February 21, 1437
	England
Predecessor	Robert III
Successor	James II
Consort	Joan Beaufort
Royal House	Stewart
Father	Robert III
Mother	Annabella Drummond

James I (December 10, 1394 – February 21, 1437) reigned as King of Scots from April 4, 1406 until February 21, 1437. After the death of James's uncle in 1420, the Scots finally paid the ransom of £40,000, and in 1424 James returned to Scotland to find a country in chaos.

James I's grandfather, Robert II, had married twice and the awkward circumstances of the first marriage (the one with James's grandmother Elizabeth Mure) led some to dispute its validity. The authorities executed (among others) James's uncle, Walter Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl, and Atholl's grandson, Robert Stewart, Master of Atholl — both of them descended from Robert II's second marriage).

Preceded by: Robert III

King of Scots 1406–1437

Succeeded by: James II

v • d • e Monarchs of Scotland (Alba)

	Traditional List of Monarchs of the Picts Legendary Monarchs • Drest of the 100 Battles • Talorc I • Nechtan I • Drest II • Galan • Drest III • Drest IV • Gartnait I • Cailtram • Talorc II • Drest V • Galam Cennalath • Bruide I • Gartnait II • Nechtan II • Cinioch • Gartnait III • Bruide II • Talorc III • Talorgan I • Gartnait IV • Drest VI • Bruide III • Taran • Bruide IV • Nechtan IV • Drest VII • Alpín I • Óengus I • Bruide V • Cináed I • Alpín II • Talorgan II • Drest VIII • Conall • Caustantín • Óengus II • Drest IX • Eogán • Ferat • Bruide VI • Cináed II • Bruide VII • Drest X
something	Traditional List of Monarchs of the Scots Cináed I • Domnall I • Causantín I • Áed • Eochaid* • Giric • Domnall II • Causantín II • Máel Coluim I • Idulb • Dub • Cuilén • Cináed II • Amlaíb • Cináed II • Causantín III • Cináed III • Máel Coluim II • Donnchad I • Mac Bethad • Lulach • Máel Coluim III • Domnall III Bán • Donnchad II • Domnall III Bán • Edgar • Alexander I • David I • Máel Coluim IV • William I • Alexander II • Alexander III • First Interregnum • John • Second Interregnum • Robert I • David II • Edward • David II • Robert II • Robert III • James I • James II • James III • James IV • James V • Mary I • James VI** • Charles I** • The Covenanters • The Protectorate • Charles II** • James VII** • Mary II** • William II** • Anne** * status as King is doubted ** also monarch of Ireland and England