James III of Scotland reigned as king from 1460 to 1488. He succeeded his father James II of Scotland (r. 1437-1460) at the age of eight, which led to some nobles taking advantage of the king's minority and even abducting him. James was also challenged by his two brothers and again by his eldest son during a thoroughly unpopular reign which saw high taxes and systematic marginalisation of the nobility. James was killed in a skirmish with rebels in June 1488. The royal Stuart line continued with James' eldest son who became James IV of Scotland (r. 1488-1513).
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Definition
Timeline
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May 1452Birth of James III of Scotland in Stirling Castle.
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1460 - 1488Reign of James III of Scotland.
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1460 - 1463Queen Mary rules as regent for her son James III of Scotland.
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10 Aug 1460James III of Scotland is crowned in Kelso Abbey.
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1463 - 1465Bishop James Kennedy rules as regent for James III of Scotland.
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1463James III of Scotland begins repairs of Stirling Castle.
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1464James III of Scotland completes two tours of his kingdom.
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9 Jul 1466James III of Scotland is kidnapped by Alexander and Robert Boyd.
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13 Jul 1469James III of Scotland marries Margaret of Denmark.
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1474James III of Scotland arranges for his son James to marry Cecily, the daughter of Edward IV of England.
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1479James III of Scotland imprisons his two brothers Alexander and John. The former escapes and the latter dies mysteriously.
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1479 - 1480James III of Scotland debases his coinage, badly affecting trade.
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Jul 1482James III of Scotland is imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle by disaffected nobles led by his own brother Alexander. The king is later released.
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22 Jul 1484At Lochmaben forces loyal to James III of Scotland defeat rebel nobles seeking to put the king's brother Alexander on the throne.
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11 Jun 1488James III of Scotland is killed in a skirmish with rebel nobles.
