The Riven Realm

James V #1

by Nigel Tranter

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Genres: Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1984

About the author

Nigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish historian and writer. He was the author of a wide range of books on Scottish castles, particularly on themes of architecture and history. He also specialised in deeply researched historical novels that cover centuries of Scottish history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland shortly before Flodden Field from the viewpoint of David Lindsay of the Mount who had been appointed Gentleman and Procurator to the infant Prince James of Scotland. He and Master John Inglis, Abbot of Culross, would remain close to the infant prince after the death of James IV much to the Queen-Mother Margaret Tudor's disgust. Lindsay and Inglis would provide comfort and continuity for the boy who was crowned king at the age of seventeen months. David Beaton pops in and out of Lindsay's life, they had been friends and classmates at the University of St. Andrews. The Douglases, Homes, and Margaret Tudor led the pro-English faction with the Earl of Angus and other border lords receiving pensions from Henry VIII, James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, backed by his illegitimate son, Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, was third in line of succession after the French born and raised John Stewart, Duke of Albany. Albany came and for managed to stabilize Scotland with the help of his deputy, Antoine de la Bastie, a veteran soldier. When he came and decided to use Scotland's manpower in military action on northern English border the Scots nobility refused to cross the border--twice. So finally he and the French soldiers he brought with him sailed back to France leaving Scotland to it's factions.
Since she couldn't be declared Regent after her marriage to Archibald, Earl of Angus, who she took to calling Anguish, the Countess sidled up to the Earl of Arran and came up with the scheme of elevating James V to full rule at the age of twelve. She, Arran, and Finnart could then rule while giving the appearance of it being James V's doing. Lindsay, Inglis and those who had been with him from when he was a wee bairn were dismissed much to James V's distress, his mother never having been the nurturing type.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The slowest Tranter I have read to date...#33 in chronological order.