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Royal Reforms of Scotland's James II
In the 1450s, Scotland's James II pursued centralization and military modernization, importing artillery and establishing royal cannon foundries whil…
Timeline
- 1450–1453Edinburgh · LothianJames II brought cannon founders and artillery technology from continental Europe, establishing royal foundries in Edinburgh and elsewhere, giving the Scottish army modern siege capability.
- 1452–1455Aberdeenshire · AberdeenshireConflict between the king and the Earl of Douglas escalated; at a dinner in Stirling in 1452 the king personally killed William, Earl of Douglas; in 1455 Black Douglas forces were defeated by royal troops at Aberdeen and elsewhere, and their lands confiscated.
- 1460Roxburgh · Scottish BordersJames II personally led the artillery siege of the English-held Roxburgh Castle, where a cannon burst killed the king; his son James III succeeded him, and the reform legacy was carried on by successors.
Sources
- Scotland: A History — Jenny Wormald (2005)
- Encyclopædia Britannica: James II (king of Scotland) https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-II-king-of-Scotland