The Reformation and the Spanish Armada
In 1503 Beothuk became the first colonial city established in North America – although at this time the vast extent of the new world continent could only be guessed at. The furs from the new world were already proving popular in the Scottish markets, but the volume was still very low. Kier Selkirk’s exploration had uncovered a number of smaller islands, and what appeared to be a vast continent to the west of Beothuk, and further north lay the frozen shores of Greenland, a vast barren island which Viking legends had written about.
James ordered that the colonists establish a local administration, so that Beothuk could act as the hub for Scottish expansion in the new world. With limitless possibilities, Scottish merchants and colonists clamoured for the establishment of new settlements on the islands, for trade fleets to ply and protect the exotic goods, and even for the building of fortresses and the establishment of garrisons. Communication improved with the natives, and rumours of larger settlements and a limitless continent, filled with an abundance of strange new resources. A form of hysteria was developing, with over-excited men trying to fund and equip expeditions single handedly.
Greenland, although not valuable, was held to be of high strategic value by James III
However, despite the campaigns for a settlement on the edges of the explored coast of the new world, James III insisted that royal resources be concentrated on establishing a new colony on the coast of Greenland. Unpopular with merchants, James faced the almost unanimous opposition of the court – the Kings insistence that Scotland must head off potential rivals before working towards the interior was not persuasive. By July 1504, Scotland’s second colony had been established at Eiriksfjord.
Population in the North American settlements began to speed up as more regular voyages were scheduled between Leith and the new ports. This led to an increase in the demand for shipping, and as the Scottish ports began to fulfil these orders their capacity expanded. Soon Scotland possessed one of the most active shipping industries in Europe.
Incomes of Europe compared; a gap remains between the Scottish and English.
James III continued with his efforts to modernise the Scottish administration. Widely read, and heavily influenced by the Byzantine scholars who arrived during his father reign. To help placate the fears of the merchants, new fortifications were established across the midlands of England. Despite these fortresses, the court soon uncovered evidence of English plotting against the Scottish possessions in Ireland. First, 6,000 rebels under Garbhan Sarsfield rose in Munster, and although the Scottish garrison were easily able to put down the insurrection. No sooner had the blood on the fields dried, and English agent was captured in the town of Wexford attempting to steal documents so that an English claim could be fabricated on the town.
Resources were diverted into improving the quality of the Scottish navy, while troops were positioned close to the English frontier. On the 26th April, Cardinal Davis of the diocese of St. Andrews was elected as the latest Cardinal in the Holy See. The election of Davis gave Scotland a plurality in the chambers of St Peters, making Scotland the controller of the Papacy. Henry IIX, King of England, chose this day to die. His son, the future Henry IX, was too young to assume the crown, and so a regency council was formed. James III could feel safe from attack for the time being. James III decided to take advantage of his influence in Rome, and excommunicated the young heir.
Excommunication of Henry IX
With Scotland’s security safe for the time being, James III returned to domestic factors. As Scottish land began to expand in the new world, a system of governance would have to be established. Currently, while the Scottish colonies amounted to some 1,500 people on two isolated outposts, there was little need to establish a complex bureaucracy, but if the overseas possessions were to expand sufficiently to match the ambitions of the Scottish merchants then it would soon be required.
James picked a particularly irritating and simple merchant, Malcolm Grey. Grey was a man who snuck around the Royal Court desperately courting whatever favour he could among the wealthy and influential, and granted him the dubious honour of being the first Viceroy of Greenland.
The Practice of Delegating Viceroys
The fledgling colony did not receive its incapable governor well. First, he diverted manpower and resources from the building of critical infrastructure to set up a grand palace. Then, he led a small sortie up the coast to the prime fishing grounds, known to be sacred to the native fishermen, and claimed the land. This naturally provoked a strong reaction from the natives, undoing many months of diplomacy. A scuffle breaks out, and after a short skirmish 500 of the native warriors lay dead. Grey acts to supress the spread of news, preventing the court in Edinburgh hearing of the breakdown in relations with the natives.
Meanwhile, in the old country James was eagerly promoting more European learning. Along with the arrival of scholars from Constantinople, James had imported a printing press from the Low Countries and was encouraging the circulation of as many texts as he could secure. Over time, the influential literature introduced new ideas into Scottish engineering, philosophy and theology, boosting research.
Over the next few years, the merchant class kept up their demands for an increase in colonisation. Finally, by 1514, James relented and authorised the expenditure to double the number of colonies in the new world which could be settled simultaneously. A new colony was established on the west coast of Newfoundland, to act as a springboard to the wider continent.
Scottish colonisation began to gather pace
As well as looking to the continent and the colonies, James promoted internal infrastructure projects to strengthen his control over the realm. Large fortresses were built across the southern border with England. This network doubled the number defending the border from 3,000 to 6,000 men. James was conscious that the Scottish Royal Army was now outnumbered 2:1 on the mainland, and with only around 6,000 men available in Ireland James was concerned that any conflict might be worrying one sided.
Throughout the later part of the second decade of the sixteenth century, England struggled in the face of widespread hostility from her European neighbours. The heretic religion, coupled with the official excommunication, meant securing an alliance among the Catholic powers was almost impossible. Castile, in particular, adopted a hostile policy toward the English. Worried about the possibility of a catholic coalition, England stayed her hand, despite the growing confidence that Scotland could not stand against her newly outfitted armies. In early 1521 a catholic alliance of Castile, Aragon and Genoa declared war on England. The two Iberian states outfitted a huge armada, supported by Genoese mercenaries. James III immediately placed the Royal Scottish army on alert and arranged for supplies and ammunition to be made ready.
However, the populace were not enthusiastic about participating in an Iberian war. As settlements expanded in the new world, Edinburgh was enjoying the benefits of peace and stability. New settlements were established at Labrador on the north eastern coast of the vast continent. In addition to the new world, James encouraged the establishment of new plantations in Ulster, where large farms and textile works were being expanded.
James was determined to attack England while the opportunity presented itself though, and diplomats were sent to forge claims on the English lands in Ireland. Another diplomat was sent to Madrid in order to establish the terms for an alliance. James wanted to secure the Spanish promise that they would not make peace until Scotland could establish the upper hand on the British Isles. In 1523, an agreement was finalised, and the Spanish landed several thousand men in Cornwall. James also agreed to fund the distribution of new matchlock muskets to the army.
Matchlock Muskets were introduced, James ordered the army to immediately begin drilling
By March, the Castilian offensive had petered out – England raised 10,000 men and put the invaders to the sword at Wessex. The Iberians demanded that Scotland fulfil her obligations, and attack London. James was torn. The council was unanimous in their opposition – the English had paid for experienced Swiss and Bohemia mercenaries, soldiers whose faith had brought them to the British Isles to resist the Papist Spaniards. The Scottish army had not yet mastered their new equipment. The Castilian plan had failed, and merely succeeded in emboldening the English defenders.