8th August 1503

The Marriage of the Thistle and the Rose

King James IV of Scotland was born at Stirling Castle in March 1473. Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and daughter of Henry VII, was born at Westminster Palace in November 1489. In 1503, they were wed in what was called the Marriage of the Thistle and the Rose, in the hope that uniting the ruling families of Scotland and England would give peace a chance.

It may not have done that, but it did lead to the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became, simultaneously, James I of England, after Elizabeth I died without an heir.

Treaty of Perpetual Peace

The marriage was a condition of the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, which had been confirmed the previous year, and consisted of two ceremonies: one in London, in January, which the king didn’t attend (he was represented by the Earl of Bothwell), and a second on 8 August in Edinburgh. Between those two dates she was confirmed the Queen of Scotland and gifted several Scottish properties. The second marriage took place at Holyrood Palace, with both participants in attendance.

Although the couple had six children in total, only one made it to adulthood. He would become James V, and ultimately succeed his father to the throne. This came to pass when the Treaty of Perpetual Peace proved not to be perpetual at all, and James went to war with Margaret’s brother, Henry VIII.

Scottish support for France

After the death of her father, her brother had renewed England’s quarrel with France. This put him in direct conflict with Scotland, which was France’s ally. James had no choice but to show support for France, and he marched his army south into England. This culminated in 1513’s Battle of Flodden, where the Scottish forces were defeated despite significantly outnumbering the English troops. King James IV was among those who lost his life on the field of battle.

Coronation of James V

James V was crowned on 21 September 1513, when he was just one year old. This was to become a trend. His daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, would succeed him upon his death aged 30, in 1542, when she was just six days old. Her own son, James VI became king aged just 13 months when Mary was forced to abdicate.

Margaret was appointed regent upon James V’s accession to the throne, on the condition that she not remarry. When she did so, she was deposed, and replaced by John Stewart, who was himself third in line to the throne.