JAMES IV., King of Scotland (1488-1513), was the son of James III. and Margaret of Denmark, and was b. March 17, 1472. A movement, headed by time earl of Lennox, having for its object time subversion of time mac* government, was soon quelled ; and the rule of the young king gave promise of being both vigorous and popular. The avarice of the preceding reign was followed by a profusion which conciliated the nobles; 'a kilo the king's personal beauty and open manner won the hearts of the people. The naval exploits of sir Andrew Wood of Largo, in the beginning of this reign, are worthy of note. With a greatly inferior force he twice defeated the English; on one occasion capturing as many as five of their ships of war. Instead of avenging this defeat by force of arms, henry VII., then reigning in England, wisely resolved to endeavor to win Scotland by conciliation and policy. He proposed a marriage between James and his daughter Margaret; but his wise schemes were for a long time frustrated by t he gold' and intrigue of the king of France. But at length the prudence of Henry prevailed, and in 1503 Jamek.rharried Margafet'orEngland, By a treaty then c rained into bctweeu England and Scotland, the first peace since 1332 was established between the two coun tries. The king of England saw what none of his predecessors had been able to see— that he could easily gain by policy what it was hopeless to attempt to seize by force.
Had he lived longer, a lasting amity might have been established between the two coun ;tries; but his san and successor was even hotter and more headstrong than James him -L*0f. The English treaty was followed by a period of almost unexampled peace and prosperity; but by the death of Henry VII., in 1509, all this fair prospect was destroyed. It was not, however, until Henry VIII. had been two years on the throne that a rupture took place between the two kings. James had demanded reparation for an alleged out rage on the Scottish flag; Henry had returned a contemptuous answer. He had further instated the Scotch king by connteuaneing certain English border chieftains who had been accessory to the murder of sir Robert tier; he declined to deliver a legacy of jewels bequeathed to queen Margaret by her father. Long and angry negotiations followed, which ended in James's rash and fatal invasion of England in the summer of 1513. The disastrous battle of Flodden (q.v.) was fought Sept. 9 of that year. The body of James was found on the field after the battle. He died in the 41st year of his age, and 20th of his reign.