James III and the Quest for the New World; 1487 – 1503
On the first of January 1487 the elderly Charles I died peacefully in his sleep, and the throne passes to his skilled son James, becoming James III of Scotland. The new Monarch's priorities remain those of his father – the integration of Munster and increasing the Crown's revenues. However, for the first time in decades, the English crown has regained control of their country. James III will face a strong rival, eager for revenge and the recovery of her lands.
The coronation of James III
Early in James' reign, the various factions of the kingdom attempt to stamp their authority on the crown. The nobles make noise about regaining privileges lost during the centralisation, while the clergy look to try and revise their sharp decline under Charles. While the challenge from the nobles and occupied much of the new monarchs time. Following the success of his father, James enjoys the backing of a great many of the landlords in the wealthy lowlands, as well as the emerging merchant class in Edinburgh. Nevertheless, the new monarch must devote time and energy to ensuring an orderly succession, and crucially ensuring that his authority is recognised by all in the realm.
James' compromise with the nobility
The wars of his predecessors have done much to close the wealth gap between Scotland and her southern neighbour. The expansion into Ireland and Northumbria, coupled with a strengthening of trade, has boosted the Kingdom’s income to 13,500 ducats per month, a significant achievement in a relatively short space of time. England remains wealthier, however, and as they emerge from the extreme instability of recent years their income will rise quickly. Scotland still has much for fear.
Incomes of Europe compared; a gap remains between the Scottish and English.
The first few years of James’ reign focus on improving income in the realm. In 1490, James’ presides over important reforms that will improve the efficiency of the administration. Rather than rely on the nobility to collect taxation and administer the local courts, Edinburgh will fund the royal purse directly. This produces an immediate increase in the states revenues, and it is hoped that as these reforms spread throughout the realm, further increase will be possible in the future.
On the 22nd March 1490, the longstanding negotiations with the Duchy of Munster are concluded. Conall Crichton has secured the agreement of the Duke for a formal integration into the Kingdom of Scotland. Some powers will remain with the local nobility, and not a small amount of gold had to change hands to secure the agreement, but the integration expands Scottish influence in Ireland. The entire west coast, from Tyrone to Munster, are now directly ruled by the Scottish realm.
Political Map 1490
The High Council in Edinburgh strongly advise James to continue to extend our influence in Ireland. Securing an agreement with Leinster will bring four fifths of Ireland under our control, and leave the English city in Dublin isolated. However, the young King is keen to establish his own legacy, rather than just concentrate on continuing that of his father. James declares confidently that it is a matter of time until all of Ireland is under Scottish control, and that resources do not need to be concentrated on this. Rather, the King is determined to follow ancient Norse rumours of a mysterious land over the waves. Establishing a Scottish presence in the mysterious world would confer huge advantages on the Kingdom – and with English, Portuguese and Castilian sailors already active on the high seas, the Kingdom could not afford to be left behind.
The Council was sceptical, but the King enjoyed the passionate support of the merchant class, who were eager to explore the possibility of expanding their market, and securing first rights to the exotic goods which would surely be abundant. The King resolved to found a board of trade, who would provide financial support and insurance for all those who undertook increase the knowledge of the west.
Quest for the New World
By securing the merchants as his strongest allies, James also felt emboldened to further reduce the autonomy of the rebellious nobility in the north wet of the country. The Black Douglas, whose authority was already vastly reduced, was firmly curtailed, improving the stability of the most unruly parts of his realm.
In October 1491 the new board of trade has successfully pooled enough resources to outfit the first Scottish expedition to search for a new world. Keir Selkirk, a capable young captain, is chosen to lead the exploration efforts. James, determined to show his support, offers the newly outfitted Royal Barque the
Providence of Dundee as the fleets flagship.
The fleet departs Edinburgh amid much fanfare, and James does his best to encourage the popularity among the populace. A court painter is hired with a commission to capture the historic moment, bringing prestige to the Royal household and increasing the stability of the lands.
The court painter hired by James proved costly, but brought prestige and stability
Although popular, the move wipes out the Kingdoms reserves, and the Crown is forced to borrow from the merchants of Edinburgh. Thus begins a long and complicated relationship between the Crown and her new financiers of choice.
By the end of 1492, Keir Selkirk returns to Edinburgh in triumph. The
Providence of Dundee docks at Leith, and brings news of a new island discovered across the great ocean. The heavily wooded island did not appear inhabited, but a number of strange animals were spotted. The climate was bitterly cold, far colder than the worst of Scottish winters. Nevertheless, the discovery was greeted enthusiastically by the public, who immediately began to volunteer in large numbers to sail and establish a Scottish colony.
Discovery of Newfoundland
From the continent, ill news reaches the royal court in April 1493. Constantinople, the last great holding of the Byzantine Empire, has fallen to the Turkish. The descendants of Rome have long stood against the Saracens, holding up their passage into Europe, but the Empire had long decayed beyond the point of being viable, and its fall was perceived by many as a matter of time. Large numbers of refugees were displaced, and James was eager to welcome as many as possible to Edinburgh. Bringing their manuscripts and knowledge of the classics, they would make an important contribution to Scottish technological advancement.
From closer to home, more worrying news reaches the court in August 1494. Scottish lukewarm attempts to entice Leinster into an alliance have fallen flat – the Duchy have instead sworn fealty to the English crown, and already diplomats from London are working to integrate the land. The balance of power once against swings towards the English, and James’ complacency proves to be his undoing.
The news in not greeted well in Edinburgh, where concern grows that it must be a matter of time until the English march to reclaim their lost lands. Two units of artillery are recruited and added to the Royal Army, now 15,000 men strong. The expectation of an invasion proves ill founded, however, and over the next three years the fears gradually abate.
By 1497, the merchants have gathered the necessary funds to outfit a second expedition to the island of Newfoundland. The second expedition will be complemented by two ships of settlers, with a Royal commission to establish a Scottish colony on the east coast.
The First Expedition to Newfoundland
By July, a small settlement has been founded, and it is soon discovered that the island is not uninhabited as was first thought. The natives of the island are a primitive people, leading a nomadic life in the deep forests. James sends word that contact should be established with the natives, and a small tribute is provided to establish a trade proposal.
Slowly, as the new settlement expands, new trade goods begin to flow back towards the North Sea, where Scottish merchants are well placed to take advantage of the slight increase in wealth. In a further move designed to appease the merchants, James grants a wealth of licences allowing merchants and nobles to export directly, rather than being subject to the royal monopoly.
Export licences boosted trade between Scotland and Norway
By 1498, Scottish income has risen to over 17,000 ducats per month. The wealth of Edinburgh brings benefits throughout the Kingdom, and advances are made in military and administrative technology. James remains nervous, as England’s recovery is well and truly underway. Spies believe that their income has risen to at least 18,000 ducats per month, while they remain more populous and able to field large armies.
James looks for support against an eventual English attack, and secures a new royal marriage with the Kingdom of France by bequeathing the hand of his young daughter to the French dauphine.
Royal marriage with France, a traditional enemy of England
James also gives instructions for the increased royal revenues to be reinvested in increasing the efficiency of the state’s administration throughout the Kingdom, which will overtime boost their revenues. Overseas expansion and internal development in tandem will ensure that Scotland remains capable of resisting any future English acts of aggression.
In 1500, the Trade Board commission a second exploratory expedition. A new ship, again led by Keir Selkirk, will explore the seas to the north of Scottish Newfoundland. The settlement now numbers almost 500 persons, while income has steadily increased. New furs are proving to be popular in European markets, and demand far, far outstrips supply. Already many clamour for further settlements to be established.
The influx of Byzantine thinkers, and the rapid technological progress which followed, greatly increased the number of Scottish philosophers. It was not long until this new enlightened class came into conflict with the established church. James, disdainful of the clergy and their unwavering loyalty to Rome, sides firmly with the philosopher, refusing all demands to condemn the heresy.
Heretic Philosopher
The positive relations established with the natives in Newfoundland, or Beothuk in the native tongue, soon lead to a closer cooperation with the colonists. 100 settle permanently in the city, bringing with them greater knowledge of local agriculture and boosting the food supply. Now 890 ducats worth of furs are being shipped back to Scotland each month, contributing to an almost 50% rise in Scottish trade income. In early 1503, the colony has finally grown to sufficient size to be considered a city, while eager explorers search for new ground suitable for settlement.