Crown-magnate relations, 1437-1460
This thesis examines the relations between James II and those magnates who were active in politics during his reign, which lasted from 1437-1460. The Black Douglas family were of particular importance during both the minority and the personal rule of James II and their rise to prominence, conflict with the king, and ultimate downfall is studied with particular reference to their bases of power and support. The attitude of the king to the higher, and, where appropriate, lesser nobility is considered, and the thesis traces the development of the political community from the beginning of the reign, when the ranks of the higher nobility were severely depleted, to the state of the realm and its leaders at the time of the king's death in 1460. The major conflict with the Black Douglases is examined through official records and chronicle references and the various stages in the development of the contest are outlined and assessed. The attitude of the other members of the political community to the Crown/Douglas conflict is studied, and the king's methods of courting support, particularly through patronage, are traced. The attacks launched by the king on certain members of the nobility or, in the case of the Livingston
McGladdery, Christine Anne
DA783.7M4 ; James II, King of Scotland, 1430-1460
Crown-magnate relations, 1437-1460. This thesis examines the relations between James II and those magnates who were active in politics during his reign, which lasted from 1437-1460. The Black Douglas family were of particular importance during both the minority and the personal rule of James II and their rise to prominence, conflict with the king, and ultimate downfall is studied with particular reference to their bases of power and support. The attitude of the king to the higher, and, where appropriate, lesser nobility is considered, and the thesis traces the development of the political community from the beginning of the reign, when the ranks of the higher nobility were severely depleted, to the state of the realm and its leaders at the time of the king's death in 1460. The major conflict with the Black Douglases is examined through official records and chronicle references and the various stages in the development of the contest are outlined and assessed. The attitude of the other members of the political community to the Crown/Douglas conflict is studied, and the king's methods of courting support, particularly through patronage, are traced. The attacks launched by the king on certain members of the nobility or, in the case of the Livingston
crown magnate relation examines relation james_ii magnate active politics reign last black douglas family particular_importance minority personal_rule james_ii rise prominence conflict king ultimate downfall study particular_reference base power support attitude king high appropriate less nobility consider trace_development political_community begin reign rank high nobility severely state realm leader time king death major conflict black examine official_record chronicle reference various_stage development contest outline assess attitude member political_community crown douglas conflict study king method court support particularly patronage trace attack launch king certain member nobility case