James V of Scotland — Age, Birthday & Biography

Editor's Take:

James V spent his childhood as a prize fought over by Scottish nobles, which left him suspicious and hard on the aristocracy. Once he ruled in his own right he restored royal finances, partly through two marriages to French brides with rich dowries. He spent heavily on palaces such as Falkland and Stirling, bringing Renaissance style to Scotland. He refused to follow his uncle Henry VIII in breaking with Rome. That choice helped lead to war with England. He died at thirty, leaving the crown to a baby girl.