Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alexander Stewart |
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| Duke of Ross | |
Alexander's mother Margaret refusing to hand over her sons to John Stewart, Duke of Albany, by John Faed, 1859.
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| Born | 30 April 1514 Stirling Castle, Stirlingshire, Scotland |
| Died | 18 December 1515 (aged 1) Stirling Castle, Stirlingshire, Scotland |
| Father | James IV of Scotland |
| Mother | Margaret Tudor |
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross (born April 30, 1514 – died December 18, 1515) was a young Scottish prince. He was the fourth and last son of King James IV of Scotland and his queen, Margaret Tudor.
Alexander was born after a very sad event for Scotland. His father, King James IV, had died in a big battle called the Battle of Flodden. This meant Alexander was born during the rule of his older, infant brother, King James V of Scotland.
Even though he lived for only a short time, Alexander was very important. He was the heir presumptive to the Scottish throne. This means he was next in line to become king if his older brother, James V, had died without children.
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A Royal Baby's Short Life
Alexander Stewart was born at Stirling Castle in Scotland. This castle was a very important royal residence at the time. His birth brought a new hope to the royal family after the king's death.
Born After a Great Loss
Alexander's father, King James IV, was a brave king. He led his army into the Battle of Flodden against England in 1513. Sadly, King James IV was killed during this battle. This left Scotland with a very young king, James V, who was just a baby.
Alexander was born a few months after his father's death. His mother, Queen Margaret Tudor, was the sister of King Henry VIII of England. This made Alexander a link between the Scottish and English royal families.
The Youngest Prince
As the youngest son, Alexander was a beloved member of the royal family. His nurse, Katherine Fyn, took care of him. Even though he was just a baby, his position was very significant. He was a spare heir, meaning he was there to ensure the royal line continued.
Heir to the Throne
During his short life, Alexander was the heir presumptive. This title means he was the person who would inherit the throne if the current king died without direct heirs. Since his brother, James V, was so young, Alexander's life was closely watched.
A Sad Ending
Sadly, Alexander Stewart died when he was very young. He passed away at Stirling Castle on December 18, 1515. He was only about one and a half years old. His death was a great loss for the royal family and for Scotland.
Impact on the Royal Line
Alexander's death meant that his older brother, King James V, was the only remaining son of James IV. This made James V's life and health even more important for the future of Scotland. It also meant that the line of succession became less secure for a time.
