Search This Blog

Friday 4 September 2015

James IV of Scotland

King James IV (1473-1513) was the last Scottish king who spoke Gaelic.

After being connected with the murder of his father King James III, James felt so guilty about his role in his father's death that for the rest of his life he wore an iron chain round his waist next to his skin.

Porträt of James IV of Scotland; Oil on panel

James IV was the first Scottish king linked with curling. Tradition relates that he ordered a silver curling stone for which men were to play annually.

James IV banned a golf-like game in Scotland because he feared his soldiers were  not devoting enough time practicing their archery skills.

He was killed, along with many of his nobles and common soldiers, at the disastrous Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513.  He was the last British king to die in battle.


No comments:

Post a Comment