John Stewart, Duke of Albany facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Stewart
Duke of Albany, Count of Auvergne and Lauraguais
Regent of Scotland
Regency	1515 - 1524
Monarch	James V
Born	8 July 1482
Died	2 June 1536 (aged 54-55) Castle of Mirefleurs, Auvergne, France
Noble family	Stewart
Spouse(s)	Anne de La Tour d'Auvergne
Father	Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany
Mother	Anne de la Tour d'Auvergne

John Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany (born 1482, died 1536) was an important figure in both Scotland and France. He served as the regent (a temporary ruler) of Scotland for many years. He was also a French noble, holding the titles of Count of Auvergne and Lauraguais.

Early Life and Family

John Stewart was the son of Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany, who was the son of King James II of Scotland. John's mother was Anne de la Tour d'Auvergne. His father, Alexander, had to leave Scotland and move to France in 1479. He married Anne there.

Alexander returned to Scotland for a short time but had to flee to France again in 1483. He was accused of treason (betraying his country). John was born in France, and he grew up there with his mother.

In 1485, when John was a baby, his father Alexander died in a tournament accident in Paris. John became the Duke of Albany and also inherited the Earldom of March. In 1487, his mother married Louis de Seyssel, who became John's stepfather.

Next in Line to the Throne

Throughout his life, John Stewart was very close to becoming King of Scotland. This was because of a special rule about who could inherit the throne. This rule meant that male relatives were preferred over female relatives.

Most of the king's immediate family members did not live very long. This meant John was often the next in line, or second in line, to the Scottish throne. He was always the closest adult heir.

Because of this, John became the regent of Scotland when King James V was a child. He served as regent off and on between 1514 and 1524.

In 1505, John married his cousin, Anne, Countess of Auvergne. Through her, he gained the titles of Count of Auvergne and Lauraguais in France. Anne died in 1524.

Leading Scotland as Regent

John Stewart was asked to become the regent of Scotland in 1514. This happened after the young King James V's mother, Margaret Tudor, married Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. Angus led a group of nobles who were against other powerful families in Scotland.

Albany arrived in Scotland in May 1515 with several ships. He used the Scottish nobles' distrust of Queen Margaret to his advantage. He took control of the young king and his siblings at Stirling Castle. This made him the sole regent. Queen Margaret had to flee to England in 1516.

Albany's power in Scotland changed many times due to arguments among the nobles. From 1517 to 1520, he was in France. During this time, his helpers managed Scotland for him. In 1517, Albany signed the Treaty of Rouen with France. This agreement strengthened the "Auld Alliance" between France and Scotland. It also promised that a French princess would marry King James V.

In 1518, Albany attended the christening of the French prince, Francis. Famous artist Leonardo da Vinci helped design the decorations for the event.

Albany returned to Scotland in November 1521. Queen Margaret wanted to be regent again, but she couldn't. Young King James was almost like a prisoner under Albany's care. Margaret was only allowed to see her son once during Albany's regency.

Margaret then secretly tried to get a divorce from her husband, Angus. When Albany returned, Margaret sided with him against Angus. Albany took control of the government. He accused Angus of treason and sent him to France.

In 1522, Albany led an army to attack Wark on Tweed Castle. However, he gave up after three days because of bad weather. The English knew about his plans. People at the time told stories about Albany's temper. They said he would throw his hat into the fire when he was angry.

In 1524, King James V turned 12, and his childhood was officially declared over. Queen Margaret and her supporters wanted to take power. Albany was removed from his role as regent. In 1525, Angus returned to Scotland and took control of Edinburgh. He became a powerful figure in the new ruling council. After this, Albany mostly lived in France.

Later Years and Diplomacy

After his time as regent, John Stewart continued to serve France and Scotland as a diplomat. In 1530, he was asked to arrange a marriage between King James V and Catherine de' Medici. This might have been a way to make the French king keep his promise from the 1517 treaty to provide a royal French bride for James V. However, this marriage did not happen.

In 1533, John Stewart met with King Francis I of France and other important people in France. He helped organize the king's welcome in nearby towns. In 1535, King James V asked Albany to arrange his marriage to Mary of Bourbon. James V later traveled to France but ended up marrying Princess Madeleine of Valois instead.

Albany died at Mirefleur Castle in France on June 2, 1536.

John's wife, Anne, had died in 1524. She left her lands in Auvergne to her young niece, Catherine de' Medici. Catherine later became Queen of France.

When Albany died, the next person in line to the Scottish throne became James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran. He was a descendant of King James II through a female line.

European Craftsmen in Scotland

Albany brought many skilled workers from other countries to Scotland in 1515. French craftsmen worked on new windows and doors for Holyroodhouse Palace. An Italian man made bricks for a furnace at the armor factory in Edinburgh Castle. French gun-makers also worked there, creating cannons with Albany's family crest.

At Crawford Moor, a Frenchman helped refine gold. In 1516, Albany appointed a French gunner, Jehannot de Lavall, to be the Master Keeper of the Royal Artillery.

People praised Albany for improving Scotland. A book from 1538 mentioned his work on Dunbar Castle, which he made very strong. It also said he improved farming in Scotland.

Children

John Stewart and his wife Anne did not have any children together.

However, John had an illegitimate daughter named Eleanor Stewart with a Scottish woman named Jean Abernethy. Eleanor was officially recognized and later married Jean de L'Hopital in France in 1547. Their son, Jacques de L'Hopital, became the first Marquess of Choisy.

Images for kids

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  John Stewart, 2nd Duke of Albany