James II

The Stewart Dynasty in Scotland

by Christine McGladdery

In this study of the reign of James II of Scotland, the king is viewed in the context of the Stewart monarchy, from his struggles to overcome his early adversity and the legacy of his father’s style of kingship, to the serious political crises of his reign. The relations between the king and his subjects, and the complex balance of power in medieval Scotland are examined, particularly the significant crisis precipitated by James II’s attack on the Black Douglases, the greatest of all late medieval magnate families. The changing nature of political involvement among the nobility and the role of Parliament in influencing events are explored, as are the efforts of the king to recover and promote royal authority in the final years of his reign. The role of James II in the wider European context is also studied with a view to shedding light on contemporary perceptions of the Stewart monarchy both at home and abroad. The study is based on contemporary chronicle and official sources, and consideration is also given to later, highly coloured views of James II, which have influenced popular views of the king to the present day.

Genres: Scotland

300 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 1997

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource. Wish they'd reprint this as even library copies are hard to find.

[Joe Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book should be named The Government of the Scot’s in the time of King James II.

Becomes very confusing of who’s the governor, who’s lieutenant governor, who owns what land, and who has forfeited the land Everyone is named James!!


It’s great that you have the letters and writing during this but it’s very difficult to translate. I just wish you would have it translated into modern English below it.

[Norman Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This scholarly history seems to be thoroughly researched and credibly presented. I trust that it is a fair representation of what went on during the period. This was the second edition that I was reading; apparently the author revised the first edition in light of the extensive research that has taken place in the years following it.

I read this immediately after reading the history of James I of Scotland, by Michael Brown, so I was somewhat prepared for the source citations in Old Scots. There are times when I wished that the author had "translated" some of the texts into modern English; some references were difficult to decipher. The author did help with some trickier words but I missed the significance of a number. On the other hand, the original language makes the history more vivid.

McGladdery improves on Brown's style by being clearer about who was who. The Scots nobles had a large number of duplicated names, but McGladdery usually added the title (e.g., "9th earl of Douglas"); it helps.

The text is dry. There is no attempt to make it more exciting at any point. Even when coming to events that must have been dramatic in the moment - the murder of the Earl of Douglas, the Black Dinner, various battles, and the king's death - the dramatic moment usually appears about three-quarters into a long paragraph. I skimmed a few paragraphs here and there, but I was always concerned that I was going to miss something important.

There are things that can be skimmed, for certain. The chapter on sources and perceptions, after the king's death, could just as easily have been labelled an appendix and moved to the end.

I am also going to make one of my standard complaints about history books like this: the maps ought to be improved. The map of Scotland is split in half, but since both halves are to the same scale, and printed on the same page, there was no need to do that. Leaving them as one map would have provided more space for more of the country, including regions like the Orkneys and the Isle of Man that were omitted, presumably for lack of space.

But on the whole, these are rather quibblish comments. Overall, it is a very good history.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine McGladdery's extensively researched study of James II, King of Scotland (1437-1460) delves into every aspect of his life and reign using all available contemporary and near contemporary records, while also analysing and criticising the development of the historiography of James II's reign in the old Scottish chronicles. This volume is a rewrite of her previous biography of James II, with reconsideration of her prior conclusions (and of old ways of viewing James II's life and deeds) in light of newer studies. As such, McGladdery's work is currently the definitive treatment of James II's reign. Anyone who desires to understand what was going on in Scotland during the mid-15th century, and the role of the king in relation to parliament and the powerful noble families of Scotland, can and should consult McGladdery's book -- you'll find it all in there.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are not 300 pages to this book but 176. The author does an excellent job with James II despite the lack of material for his reign. James II manages his lairds much better than his father did despite murdering a Black Douglas under safe conduct. A bit pricey and there was some repetition due to the lack of material for his reign but it was an enjoyable read for an academic work.