James IV was King of Scotland from 11 June 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He inherited the throne at the age of fifteen on the death of his father, James III, at the Battle of Sauchieburn, following a rebellion in which the younger James was the figurehead of the rebels. James IV is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs. He was responsible for a major expansion of the Scottish royal navy, which included the founding of two royal dockyards and the acquisition or construction of 38 ships, including the Michael, the largest warship of its time.
James IV, copy by Daniël Mijtens of a lost contemporary portrait.
Stirling Castle, James IV's birthplace and childhood home.
Copy of contemporary portrait of James by Jacques Le Boucq
Arms of James IV
The Battle of Flodden, Flodden Field, or occasionally Branxton or Brainston Moor was fought on 9 September 1513 during the War of the League of Cambrai between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland and resulted in an English victory. The battle was fought near Branxton, in the county of Northumberland, in northern England, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey. In terms of troop numbers, it was the largest battle ever fought between the two kingdoms.
The Flodden Memorial on Piper's Hill, overlooking the site of the battle
Norham Castle, which fell to the Scots on 29 August after a six-day bombardment by James's artillery.
James IV captured Ford Castle from Lady Heron
A view of Flodden Hill which shows its steep gradient. The crest of the hill was without trees at the time of the battle.
