James V: Scotland's Ambitious Renaissance King

James V: Scotland's Ambitious Renaissance King

August 19, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 558

About this episode

The episode reassesses James V of Scotland as a powerful Renaissance ruler who navigated complex political landscapes.

Was James V of Scotland a beleaguered child king or a brilliant Renaissance ruler who mastered the performance of power? Crowned before his second birthday, James curbed powerful magnates, strengthened royal authority and secured Scotland’s place in Europe, holding together a kingdom threatened by faction, England and religious upheaval. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr Amy Blakeway to reassess a monarch who navigated politics, diplomacy and danger, while presiding over a dazzling court that embraced ceremony, humanist learning and spectacle. MORE Rise & Fall of James IV of Scotland Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Private Life of King James VI & I Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™ Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week plus ad-free podcasts, plus early access, ad-free podcasts. Sign up at…

People in this episode

Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb

Guest: Dr Amy Blakeway

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Organizations: History Hit, Little Dot Studios, Epidemic Sounds

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