James Stewart

  General Notes:

James was sent to France by his father (Robert III), who feared for Ja mes' life. He was captured enroute by the English and imprisoned in L ondon. The old King died in 1407 and Albany was made Regent with thep rior declaration that James, now captive in Englad, was their lawfulKi ng.

Albany tried to prevent the return of the young King to Scotland. Alb any died in 1419 and with James still being a captive, Albany's son (M urdoch Stewart) succeeded as Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife, and Regento f Scotland. Scotland shortly became a scene of anarchy, treason andco nfusion.

The Earl of Douglas negotiated with King Henry of Englund for James re turn and finally a ransom was arranged, paid by the Scots. In 1424 Ja mes, with his queen, Johanna (whom he married in England), returned t o Scotland. Murdoch, exercising the perogative of the Earls of Fife,p laced James on the inaugural stone.

He quickly arrested Murdoch Stewart at Perth, together with his wife,y oungest son (Alexander Stewart), his eldest son Walter, his aged fathe r-in-law (the Earl of Lennox) and some 26 other barons and noblemen.

Murdoch Stewart, his two sons, and father-in-law were publicly execute d at Stirling, the Earldom of Fife. The castle at Falkland now becam e forfeited to the Crown.

Strathmiglo, Kettle, Rathillet, Falkland were now seized and forfeite d to the Crown, and the Castle at Falkland now became a Royal palace . The lands of Cash and the castle at Strathmiglo were included in th e seizure because they had been originally chartered to an Earl of Fif e.

The dream of Ada and Duncan, had now, after 263 years come "full circl e". The lands first granted in 1160 by Malcolm IV had returned to th e Scottish Crown.

James Stewart (James 1) was murdered at Perth in 1436. Leaving a bab y son.

James married Johanna.