If you walked into a 16th-century Scottish pub and saw a guy in a dirty cloak complaining about the price of ale, you might have been looking at the King of Scots. Seriously. James V was obsessed with being the "Gudeman of Ballengeich"—a sort of undercover boss who wandered the countryside in disguise to hear what people actually thought of him.
He wasn't your typical monarch.
James was born into a nightmare. His father, James IV, was killed at the Battle of Flodden when James was just 17 months old. By the time he was a teenager, he was essentially a political prisoner, kidnapped by his own stepfather, the Earl of Angus. Imagine being a kid and having your "family" keep you in a gilded cage while they spend your inheritance. It messed him up. He grew into a man of wild contradictions: a patron of the arts who could be shockingly cruel, and a king who loved his people but deeply distrusted his nobles.
Why James V Hated the Aristocracy
Most history books paint kings and nobles as a big, happy, power-hungry family. Not here. James V spent the first 14 years of his life watching the Douglas family—his stepfather’s clan—rule Scotland like a personal ATM. When he finally escaped at age 16, he didn't just take the throne. He went on a revenge tour.
He hounded the Earl of Angus out of the country. He burned the Earl’s sister, Lady Glamis, at the stake. It was brutal. Honestly, it was a message. James wanted every lord in Scotland to know that the "Stewart" name wasn't just a label; it was a threat. He preferred the company of commoners, earning him the nickname "King of the Commons." He’d roam around anonymously, partly to check on his subjects and partly because he just didn't trust the guys in the fancy suits.
The French Connection (and a Bitter Uncle)
While James was busy fixing things at home, his uncle, Henry VIII of England, was causing chaos. Henry wanted James to break away from the Catholic Church and join the Reformation.
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James said no.
Actually, he did more than just say no. He doubled down on his Catholic faith and his ties to France. He married Madeleine of Valois, the French King's daughter. She was fragile, though, and died in his arms just weeks after arriving in Scotland. It’s one of those heartbreaking historical moments—a young king finally finding a political and personal win, only for it to crumble.
He didn't wait long to try again. He married Mary of Guise, a woman so formidable that Henry VIII had actually wanted her for himself. Mary chose James instead. You can imagine how well that went over with Henry. The rivalry between the two kings wasn't just about politics; it was personal.
The Tragedy of 1542
By the early 1540s, things were falling apart. James’s two young sons died within 24 hours of each other. He was spiraling into what historians describe as "black depression."
Then came the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542.
It was a disaster. The Scottish army was huge, but they were disorganized and, frankly, didn't want to be there. Many of the nobles were still salty about how James had treated them over the years. They basically gave up. When the English attacked, the Scots panicked. Thousands were captured.
James wasn't even at the battle. He was nearby, sick with fever. When he heard the news, it broke him.
"It cam' wi' a lass"
A few days after the defeat, a messenger arrived at Falkland Palace. He told the king that Mary of Guise had given birth.
"Is it a boy?" James asked.
"No, Sire. A daughter."
James famously muttered, "It cam' wi' a lass and it will gang wi' a lass." He was talking about the Stewart crown, which had come to the family through Marjorie Bruce. He died six days later. He was only 30. That tiny baby girl? She became Mary, Queen of Scots.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often see James V as a failure because of how his reign ended. That’s a bit of a shortcut.
He was actually a brilliant administrator. He founded the College of Justice in 1532, which basically created the modern Scottish legal system. He was a massive patron of the arts, bringing Italian musicians and French architects to Scotland. If you visit Stirling Castle today, you’re seeing his vision. He wanted Scotland to look like a European powerhouse, not a backwater province.
He was also a "Gudeman" in the literal sense. He tried to protect the poor from the greed of the rich. Was he a tyrant? To the nobles, absolutely. To the farmer in Fife whose land wasn't stolen because of a royal decree? He was a hero.
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Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you’re interested in the real James V, don't just stick to the textbooks. Here is how to actually experience his legacy:
- Visit Stirling Castle: Look at the "Stirling Heads." These are massive oak medallions James commissioned. They show his face, his wives, and his court. It’s the closest thing we have to a 16th-century photo album.
- Read the Ballads: Look up "The Jolly Beggar." It’s a traditional song often attributed to James’s secret travels. It gives you a feel for the "King of the Commons" persona.
- Check the Timeline: Compare his reign to Henry VIII. When you see what Henry was doing in England (the executions, the break with Rome), James’s stubbornness makes a lot more sense. He wasn't just being difficult; he was trying to save his country’s identity.
James V wasn't just a bridge between his father and his famous daughter. He was a man who tried to hold a fractured nation together with nothing but sheer willpower and a few good disguises. He failed at the end, sure. But the Scotland he left behind was far more modern than the one he inherited.
To understand the Stewart dynasty, you have to look past the tragedy of his death and see the "Gudeman" who walked the windy passes of Stirling, trying to find the truth.
Next Steps for Your Research:
Start by exploring the Stirling Heads online or in person at Stirling Castle. These carvings offer a rare, direct look at the self-image James V wanted to project to the world. Following that, look into the letters of Mary of Guise during the early 1540s to see how the couple attempted to manage the growing English threat before the collapse at Solway Moss.