James IV, King of Scots, rolls the dice on one major battle against Henry VIII, King of England, and unwittingly sends Scotland’s leadership to its slaughter, opening the door to the Protestant Reformation. 

SYNOPSIS:

EPISODE 2, SYNOPSIS, JAMES IV

The year is 1488, and a comet streaks across the sky. James III, King of Scots, takes it to mean success in battle, but his dead wife, Margaret of Denmark, warns him in a vision that it foretells his death.

James III accepts the warning and attempts to murder his son, James Stuart, 15, so he cannot succeed him on the throne. Rebellious nobles, however, defeat James III in battle, kill him, and crown the son, James IV.

Even though his role was passive, James IV feels enormous guilt, which adversely affects his reign in ominous ways.

Now age 39, James IV is much loved throughout Scotland but makes self-destructive decisions. He has many mistresses, which hurts his relationship with his politically arranged bride, Queen Margaret Tudor, older sister of Henry VIII.

James feels enormous pressure to surpass the Tudor legacy, falsely assesses his abilities, and embarks on a mission to defeat the English forces of Henry VIII.

He ignores his advisers, Don Pedro de Ayala, ambassador from Spain, and military adviser, James Ramsay, 1st Lord Bothwell, and pushes forward with battle preparations. James IV also ignores his queen and nobles who rebel against the war.

In France, Henry VIII wars against Louis XII and leaves Queen Catherine of Aragon as Regent in charge of England. Massive armies and cannon on both sides meet to fight the Battle of Flodden Field. The English are superior in long bows and cavalry, but the Scottish army is larger and have larger cannon.

Despite being six months pregnant with a history of miscarriages, Catherine travels north to deliver a highly motivational speech to the army. It works.

The English destroy the Scottish army, decimates its leadership, and kills James IV. This creates a power vacuum Protestants would quickly fill, except for Queen Margaret’s strong leadership, which prevents this from happening.

Margaret steps forward to also ensure that son, James V, comes to the throne. He is only 17 months old, however, and must survive many Scottish nobles who covet his power and position.