Copyright © 1998
Royal Stuarts
All Rights Reserved

Nearly five hundred years ago lived a young Prince named James. The prince was only seven years old when his mother died. And his father was feeble minded, having been kicked in the head before James was born. So, for much of the young Princes life, the land was ruled by his older brother, David and his Uncle the Duke of Albany.

One day, Albany became angry at David and threatened to lock him up in prison. James thought his Uncle was only kidding until a few days later when the guards came and took David away. With his mother dead and his brother locked away, James had no one but his father to turn to.

"Father," said James, "what is to become of me?"

"Why?" asked the king.

"David has been locked away. And I don't think Uncle likes me."

"David is fine," said Albany interrupting. "He's just a bit uncontrollable and needs to learn self-discipline. Run along, James. I need to talk to your father for a moment."

With that, James left the room, but he didn't go far. He stayed just close enough to hear what his Father and Uncle were discussing.

"Your son, David is a bit more strong willed than I expected. I had hoped that a few days in confinement would show him the light, but it seems he needed a bit more time to see things my way"

"Where is he? I demand to know." Shouted the King.

"He is locked up in Linlithgow, where I suspect by now he is breathing his last breath."

"What?" the King cried in terror.

"David has had no food or water for over a week. I have seen to it. He needed to learn a lesson and I should think by now he has. Have you?" Albany gloated with the news of David's death. The King was powerless. In a few years the King's ailments would send him to his grave, so the only person standing between Albany and the throne was James.

James became frightened. He had never liked his Uncle, but now he had reason to fear him. Quickly, he hid behind a tapestry and waiting for his Uncle to leave. Then, he ran back to his father, who he found crying in his bed covers.

"Father, we must think. If Uncle gets his hands on me, there is nothing preventing him from gaining the crown" James had to think up a way to escape. "You must send me to France."

"France, why?" asked the King.

"Because Albany can not reach me in France and my cousins there can take care of me until I am of age and can return. If you send his son, Murdoch, along with me it will prevent him from trying anything along the way."

Whether it was Devine Providence or a sharp wit, James did think of something. And before Albany could react, James was on the road to France with Murdoch.

Unfortunately, while on their way to France, Prince James was captured by the King of England. "Where are you bound?" the King asked the young boys.

"To France" answered James.

"So he can learn all there is to being a good King?" answered Murdoch.

"And why do you need to learn to be a good king?"

"Because someday I may fight a dragon or marry a princess and when I do, I should know how to be a good king." replied James.

"You won't need to do that. His father is king and therefore someday he too will be King. And I will be his chief advisor, just like my father is his father's chief advisor. And then we will come down and conquer your country and make it ours." proclaimed Murdoch.

"There is no need for you to travel so far when I can teach you all that you need here in England." laughed the King. And with that he scooped up the young prince and his cousin Murdoch.

"Let me go," cried Murdoch.

"I can not, for you too must learn to be a good advisor." laughed the King. "Although my first bit of advise? Choose your advisors wisely."

The King took them to London where the finest tutors in England were made available to young James. He was treated like a monarch in every aspect, save he could not leave the castle.

News of their capture traveled fast. Even though his own son was in danger, Albany took great delight in immediately relaying the news to his brother, the old King. "I am afraid, your Majesty, that Prince James has been captured by the English. There is no hope we will ever seem him again. Now I will certainly become king."

This news broke the old King's heart. In recognition of his failure, the King replied, "Bury me in a midden. And write on it, 'Here lies the worst of Kings and the most wretched of men.'" and with that the King died.

With the King dead and the Prince in captivity, Albany began to rule in his own name as Governor. Now, you might say Albany was only doing what was best, but he made no negotiations for the young King's release. For, of course, the only way to win back the young King's freedom was to pay a huge ransom. That would mean taxes and "taxes are an unjust burden on the common man." This sentiment made Albany very popular with the Lords. However, you should know Albany was not shy in using customs for his personal expenses. "It is expensive being Governor."

Nine years later, as Albany was growing older and needed his son to follow in his footstep, negotiations finally began for the release of young James. "How are the King's studies coming?" asked Albany.

"Very well. Is it time for him to return? He is eighteen." responded the King of England.

"Has he learned the fine art of war?" asked Albany.

"No, but that could be arranged. I am about to declare war on France and James would be an excellent asset."

"Well, then, we are agreed. James is to remain under your tutelage. But perhaps my own son could return, as a sign of good faith." suggest Albany. The King of England agreed and Murdoch returned home, while James remained in captivity.

Nine more years would pass by. Albany would die and Murdoch would take his place as Governor. All the while James remained in England. But fate smiled on James, for one day he chanced to look out his window and there in the gardens below was the lovely Lady Joan Beaufort. He immediately fell in love.

Love was the final diplomat. For Lady Joan was a cousin to the King of England and once James married Joan, his release was imminent. Finally, in 1424 the newly married King James the 1^streturned to Scotland, eighteen years after his capture.

During his captivity, England had three monarchs. Scotland, on the other hand, had none. The power of the crown was weakened. And although James the 1^st tried to restore the power upon his return, the struggle between the lords and the crown would remain a constant throughout the Stuart Dynasty.