The New Student's Reference Work/James III

James III of Scotland, the son of James II and Mary of Guelderland (Guelders), was born in 1452. On the death of his father the government was conducted by his mother, aided by the wisdom of Bishop Kennedy. Upon her death in 1465 the young king came to power. He all his life, however, was under the influence of scheming favorites. Among these was a man named Cochran, who had been a mason. Through his influence the duke of Albany, the king's brother, was forced to fly from the kingdom, having been charged with witchcraft; while the earl of Mar, another brother, died in prison. The rule of Cochran and other lowborn favorites led to a rebellion among the nobility. The result was that they were hanged. The king himself was shut up in his castle at Edinburgh. James's love for literary pursuits drew upon him the contempt of the warlike and ignorant nobles. An attempt was made to take the throne from him. James led out the royal army to defeat the rebels, near Stirling, but was himself overcome and obliged to fly. He was thrown from his horse and murdered, June 11, 1488.