Chain of Destiny

 This is the latest in my Nigel Tranter project. This novel covers the life of James IV, who was a rare thing, a competent Stewart monarch. 

James IV ascended the throne after his father's death at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. He was the nominal figurehead of the revolt and naively thought his father wouldn't be killed. He decided to do penance for his sin, wearing an iron belt around his waist, next to the skin - this being the chain of destiny in the book's title.

James IV's rule is considered a golden age for Renaissance Scotland. He embraced new ideas and fostered cultural growth, establishing Scotland's first printing press in 1507 and supporting the foundation of the University of Aberdeen in 1495. He significantly strengthened the Scottish navy, including the construction of the ship Michael, one of the largest in Europe at the time. His legal and administrative reforms centralised royal authority and improved the administration of justice. 

Unusually, this was a reasonably peaceful period in Scottish history. There were expeditions to pacify the Western Highland and the Isles and the odd rebellion. Tranter makes a lot of his efforts to tie the Highlands closer to his rule. He was a big fan of artillery and under the master gunner, Robert Borthwick created the earliest significant foundry for producing large bronze guns in Britain. In September 1496, James IV invaded England alongside Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the English throne. However, he retreated when resources were expended, and the hoped-for support for Warbeck in Northumberland failed to materialise. He was granted the title Protector and Defender of the Christian Faith by the Pope in 1507 for his support of a renewed crusade, but he was talked out of the project. 

The book covers the various lovers and mistresses, of which there were many. He eventually married Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England, in 1503. This significant political move led to the Union of the Crowns a century later. 

It all came to a sticky end during the War of the League of Cambrai, in which Scotland had allied with France. While Henry VIII of England was engaged in military campaigns on the continent, James decided to divert English attention by invading northern England. The Battle of Flodden Field was fought on 9 September 1513. Tranter portrays James as a somewhat naive King failing to take advantage of his larger if less experienced army. He died fighting from the front along with many Scottish nobles. Estimates of Scottish casualties ranged from 5,000 to 10,000. The battlefield and Etal Castle are well worth a visit if you are in Northumberland. 

One of our wargame club members collected the armies in 10mm, which we used for a display game in 2016. It's a battle you rarely see on the tabletop because the armies have few uses outside this short conflict.