James III was King of Scots from 1460 until his death at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. He inherited the throne as a child following the death of his father, King James II, at the siege of Roxburgh Castle. James III's reign began with a minority that lasted almost a decade, during which Scotland was governed by a series of regents and factions who struggled for possession of the young king, before his personal rule began in 1469.
James III depicted in the Trinity Altarpiece by Hugo van der Goes, c. 1480
St Andrews Castle, James III's probable birthplace
James III and Margaret of Denmark
The tomb of King James III and Queen Margaret, Cambuskenneth Abbey
James II was King of Scots from 1437 until his death in 1460. The eldest surviving son of James I of Scotland, he succeeded to the Scottish throne at the age of six, following the assassination of his father. The first Scottish monarch not to be crowned at Scone, James II's coronation took place at Holyrood Abbey in March 1437. After a reign characterised by struggles to maintain control of his kingdom, he was killed by an exploding cannon at Roxburgh Castle in 1460.
Contemporary image of the king, showing his distinctive facial birthmark
A portrait of Mary of Guelders
James II died outside the walls of Roxburgh Castle when one of his bombards exploded.
