James IVArticle Free Pass James IV, (born March 17, 1473—died
Sept. 9, 1513, near Branxton, Northumberland, Eng.), king of
Scotland from 1488 to 1513. An energetic and popular ruler, he
unified Scotland under royal control, strengthened royal
finances, and improved Scotland’s position in European politics.
James succeeded to the throne after his father, James III, was
killed in a battle against rebels on June 11, 1488. The 15-year-
old monarch immediately began to take an active part in
government. He extended his authority to the sparsely populated
areas of western and northern Scotland and by 1493 had humbled
the last lord of the Isles. Although his reign was internally
peaceful, it was disturbed by wars with England. Breaking a
truce with England in 1495, James prepared an invasion in
support of Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the English throne.
The war was confined to a few border forays, and a seven-year
peace was negotiated in December 1497, though border raids
continued. Relations between England and Sc