Lion Let Loose

by Nigel Tranter

Book Overview

James the First of Scots was an extraordinary man: poet, thinker warrior, athlete and statesman. And prisoner - for he was held captive for almost half his adult life. He possessed that fatal Stewart... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0340586982
• ISBN13: 9780340586983
• Release Date: April 1993
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A caged lion let free, King James I

Tranter brings us life in medieval Scotland through the eyes of the Stewart King James I. As a seven year old boy he was the second son of the weak King Robert III. His older brother, David, Duke of Rothesay challenges, his uncle Robert, Duke of Albany for Governor of Scotland and fails, imprisoned and starved to death. James is now heir to the throne is spirited away on a ship to France and safety when he is captured by the English and spends the next 18 years in captivity or as an honored guest of King Henry IV and V of England. Truly a caged lion he learns his business of Kingship and war via the English and returns to Scotland the student of the Kings of England rather than the successor of the last two Kings of Scotland. He begins to right the wrongs of misrule by his Uncle Albany and his house. Ultimately executing them for Treason. He then wins over most of the Scottish nobility long unused to a strong monarch and even subdues the Lord of the Isles and Highlands for a time. Once he believes his house of Scotland is in order he turns his energy on Roxburgh and trying to rid Scotland of the English, when he is murdered in a plot by the last of his royal Uncle's Walter, Earl of Atholl and grandson Robert. He then leaves a vengeful Queen and 6 year old King in the turmoil. A promising King who could have taken Scotland far, cut short by greedy kin and ruthless self centered nobles. What could have been had he lived? A true descendant worthy of Robert the Bruce cut down in his prime. Nigel Tranter weaves a wonderful tale of despair, hope, victory, love, hate and ultimate tragedy. A wonderful book and great addition to any Tranter collection.