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The King with the Iron Belt: The Life of King James IV of Scotland
'Would recommend it without reservation for Scottish readers of all ages who need to know more about their own Scottish monarchy' The Stewart Society. King James IV of Scotland was a king of firsts and a king of lasts. He was the first king to practise amateur dentistry, the last king of Scotland to speak Gaelic. He was the first king to build a Scottish navy to match any European country’s and the last king to die on the battlefield. The impact of his reign was monumental, both in what he did for the country and his role in the formation of the United Kingdom. Meet the Renaissance king heavily influenced by the part he played in his father’s death. Find out about the positive changes he made to the running of the country and how he strived to make Scotland a world leader in several respects. Follow us, as we separate the fact from the fiction and discover why, when he died, it is said that Scotland never recovered. Was his lover Margaret Drummond poisoned because they had secretly married? Did he actually die at Flodden or, as some believe, fake his own death? Read more about the 500 year old mystery surrounding his skull.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2018
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About the author
Jackie Cosh
5 books1 followerAuthor of The King with the Iron Belt. Next book is in the very early stages of planning.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 26, 2026
At 95 pages before notes this is an interesting little book that gives a slick little overview of King James IV of Scotland.
I admit having been occasionally confused among the multitude of Scottish royalty and nobility named James.
James IV was brought into the world in 1473 at a disadvantage at first breath.
Rather than a joyous event for King James III for the birth of a firstborn son, for no apparent reason, he disliked him and never showed affection from the start.
James III was described as reclusive, distant, and possessed of poor judgment in personal relationships. He was influenced by omens and prophecy and superstition.
This contributed to a "catastrophic breakdown" of relations within his family.
This estrangement ultimately led to the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, where James III was defeated and killed by the rebel army led in his son's name.
James IV carried a lifelong burden of guilt over contributing to the takedown of his father.
He wore an iron belt as an act of penance for his role in the rebellion that led to his fathers death.
To represent his ongoing remorse, a link of added weight was reportedly added to the belt every year.
James IV was a patron of the arts and took an active interest in the law, literature and science.
With his patronage the printing press came to Scotland, the University of Aberdeen and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh were founded, and he commissioned the building of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Falkland Palace.
.
He died at the battle of Flodden ( September 9th. 1513).
It was a catastrophic defeat for Scotland, where King James IV and much of the Scottish nobility were killed by an English army near Branxton, Northumberland.
Triggered by Scotland’s invasion of England to aid France, this battle resulted in up to 10,000–17,000 Scottish deaths.
James V was born on April 10, 1512, more than a year before his father was killed at the Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513.
James V became king at seventeen months old.
Three stars
🌟🌟🌟
I admit having been occasionally confused among the multitude of Scottish royalty and nobility named James.
James IV was brought into the world in 1473 at a disadvantage at first breath.
Rather than a joyous event for King James III for the birth of a firstborn son, for no apparent reason, he disliked him and never showed affection from the start.
James III was described as reclusive, distant, and possessed of poor judgment in personal relationships. He was influenced by omens and prophecy and superstition.
This contributed to a "catastrophic breakdown" of relations within his family.
This estrangement ultimately led to the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, where James III was defeated and killed by the rebel army led in his son's name.
James IV carried a lifelong burden of guilt over contributing to the takedown of his father.
He wore an iron belt as an act of penance for his role in the rebellion that led to his fathers death.
To represent his ongoing remorse, a link of added weight was reportedly added to the belt every year.
James IV was a patron of the arts and took an active interest in the law, literature and science.
With his patronage the printing press came to Scotland, the University of Aberdeen and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh were founded, and he commissioned the building of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Falkland Palace.
.
He died at the battle of Flodden ( September 9th. 1513).
It was a catastrophic defeat for Scotland, where King James IV and much of the Scottish nobility were killed by an English army near Branxton, Northumberland.
Triggered by Scotland’s invasion of England to aid France, this battle resulted in up to 10,000–17,000 Scottish deaths.
James V was born on April 10, 1512, more than a year before his father was killed at the Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513.
James V became king at seventeen months old.
Three stars
🌟🌟🌟
March 12, 2021
Interesting
Well written account of King James IV and his life. Although it appears not that much is known about him, the author does his research well and we get a fairly good idea of the kind of man and King he was.
Well written account of King James IV and his life. Although it appears not that much is known about him, the author does his research well and we get a fairly good idea of the kind of man and King he was.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews