James V succeeded his father James IV as king of Scotland while still a minor in 1513. It was not until 1524 that he was declared competent to rule, although until 1528 he continued under the influence of the Earl of Angus, in that year James forced the Earl out. James' only legitimate child was Mary, Queen of Scots, by whom he was succeeded in 1542. He heard of her birth whilst lying dying after having been defeated at the Battle of Solway Moss. He uttered the famous last words:

Adieu, farewell, it came with a lass, it will pass with a lass.
- Himself, in Conyers Read, The Tudors.

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James V of Scotland (b.1512 r.1513-1542)

After the death of his father at Flodden Field, James became King of Scotland aged just 17 months in 1513. Consequently the country was initially ruled by a regent - his mother, Margaret Tudor. However, when she married Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus a year later, the furious Scottish nobles forced Margaret to flee to England leaving the Duke of Albany as Regent.

Margaret returned in 1522, and finding Douglas had been unfaithful, allied herself with Albany and threw Douglas out. He returned three years later with the support of Henry VIII and seized power, but in 1528, James took over control, confiscated Douglas' estates and forced him out of the country. James revenged himself on Douglas' relations by having his sister burnt at the stake.