A Stake in the Kingdom

The latest in my Nigel Tranter re-reading project covers the period when James V was King of Scots. However, David Beaton was the real power behind the throne. Tranter tells the story of this remarkable character who rose from the seventh son of a minor laird to the highest levels in the church and government. 

David Beaton was born in 1494 in Fife. He studied at St Andrews and Glasgow universities in Scotland and later in Paris. He never wanted to be a proper churchman and became an Abbot without taking holy orders. It says much about the state of the church during this period that he could do so. He was married before he took holy orders and maintained his wife and large family afterwards.

His friendship with the French King and his support for the Auld Alliance against Henry VIII's England earned him a lucrative appointment as Bishop of Mirepoix in 1537. Pope Paul III made him a cardinal in December 1538. He succeeded his uncle James Beaton as the Archbishop of St Andrews in 1539, becoming the leading church figure in Scotland.

His political influence during James V's reign continued after that sorry monarch died, when he acted as the de facto ruler of Scotland during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots. He opposed the Protestant Reformation and worked to maintain the Catholic Church's influence in Scotland against Henry VIII's machinations. He was assassinated by Protestant nobles on May 29, 1546, at St Andrews Castle.

David Beaton remains a controversial historical figure, and Tranter doesn't sugarcoat his ruthless conduct. He is remembered for his staunch defence of Catholicism and his significant political influence in Scotland, but also for his role in the persecution of Protestant reformers. His assassination marked a pivotal moment in the Scottish Reformation, contributing to the eventual decline of Catholic power in Scotland.

This is primarily a story of political manoeuvrings. There was military action, with Henry VIII regularly sending armies into Scotland. The Scots won the Battle of Haddon Rig (near Kelso in the Scottish Borders) in August 1542. However, James' army suffered a severe defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss in November of that year. Beaton was not averse to donning armour when required. In 16th-century Scotland, that was often!

Some of my 15mm Tudor army, which hasn't seen the tabletop for a long time.