< Back Kings, Poets and Writers King James IV of Scotland James IV of Scotland ((1473 - 1513), son of James III of Scotland, Stewart of Scotland, and Margaret of Denmark. Having succeeded his father in 1488 at only 15 years of age, he negotiated peace with the English (the issues of power which had arisen within the kingdom of Scotland had become much more serious) by marrying Margaret, daughter of Henry VII Tudor, acquiring for the Stuarts the right to succession to the English throne. James IV proved to be an effective and courageous ruler; he defeated more than one rebellion, and took a direct interest in the administration of justice. He was also famous for his excellent education, and was said to be fluent in English, Gaelic, Scots, Latin, French, German, Italian, Flemish, Spanish and Danish. In conflict with Henry VIII, he died in the battle of Brankston Hill, near Flodden. He was succeeded on his death by his first-born son James V.