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February 21, 1437 - The Assassination of King James I of Scotland
More Events at - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/february-21/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we journey back to the dark night of February 21, 1437—a night of treachery, betrayal, and bloodshed that would change the course of Scottish history forever. This was the night King James I of Scotland was assassinated in one of the most brutal murders ever to shake the Scottish throne. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
By the early 15th century, James I had been ruling Scotland for over three decades, but his reign was marked by tension. He was a capable but unpopular king, known for his strict rule, heavy taxation, and ruthless suppression of rivals. His policies angered many, but none more so than the powerful Albany Stewarts, a faction that had once controlled Scotland in James’s absence. For nearly two decades, while James was held captive in England, the Albany Stewarts had governed Scotland as virtual rulers. When James finally returned in 1424, he moved quickly to reclaim power, dismantling their influence and executing their leader, Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany. The surviving members of the family, along with their allies, nursed a deep grudge.
Enter Sir Robert Graham, a noble with his own reasons for hating James. Graham had once been a loyal subject, but James’s increasingly authoritarian rule turned him into a bitter enemy. When Graham openly defied the king in parliament and was imprisoned for it, his fate was sealed. Swearing vengeance, he escaped, gathered a group of conspirators, and began plotting the king’s murder.
By February 1437, James and his court were staying at the Blackfriars monastery in Perth. It was meant to be a time of peace, away from the intrigues of Edinburgh. But Graham and his men had other plans. On the night of February 21, the assassins infiltrated the monastery, aided by a traitorous servant who removed the bars from the king’s chamber door. As the conspirators stormed in, James tried to escape. He knew the monastery well—there had once been a sewer tunnel leading out of the building. But in an unfortunate twist of fate, James had ordered it sealed just days before to prevent tennis balls from getting lost during games. His only route to safety was gone.
Trapped in a vault beneath the floorboards, James fought for his life. Armed with nothing but his bare hands, he struggled against the assassins, but the odds were insurmountable. Graham and his men stabbed him repeatedly—some accounts say as many as 30 times. The king’s cries for help echoed through the monastery, but no rescue came in time.
Above, Queen Joan fought desperately to protect her husband. She was wounded in the chaos but managed to escape with their young son, the future James II. In the aftermath, the queen took swift action, ensuring that justice was served. She rallied loyal nobles and ordered a brutal crackdown on the conspirators. One by one, they were hunted down and executed in gruesome fashion. Robert Graham, the man who had personally killed the king, suffered a particularly horrific death—tortured for days before being torn apart.
James I’s assassination sent shockwaves through Scotland. His death left a power vacuum, and the kingdom teetered on the brink of instability. But Queen Joan and her allies secured the throne for James II, ensuring the survival of the Stuart dynasty. Despite his many flaws, James I had been a significant ruler—an ambitious reformer who sought to strengthen the monarchy and centralize power. His death was a reminder of the dangerous game of politics in medieval Scotland, where loyalty could shift in an instant, and betrayal often came from within.
The murder of James I remains one of Scotland’s most infamous regicides—a story of ambition, revenge, and the brutal realities of medieval rule. His legacy is one of both strength and controversy, a king whose vision for Scotland ultimately led to his downfall.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. If you enjoyed this tale of treachery and royal intrigue, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday for more fascinating historical events. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com
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By Bagtown ClansMore Events at - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/february-21/
Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we journey back to the dark night of February 21, 1437—a night of treachery, betrayal, and bloodshed that would change the course of Scottish history forever. This was the night King James I of Scotland was assassinated in one of the most brutal murders ever to shake the Scottish throne. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!
By the early 15th century, James I had been ruling Scotland for over three decades, but his reign was marked by tension. He was a capable but unpopular king, known for his strict rule, heavy taxation, and ruthless suppression of rivals. His policies angered many, but none more so than the powerful Albany Stewarts, a faction that had once controlled Scotland in James’s absence. For nearly two decades, while James was held captive in England, the Albany Stewarts had governed Scotland as virtual rulers. When James finally returned in 1424, he moved quickly to reclaim power, dismantling their influence and executing their leader, Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany. The surviving members of the family, along with their allies, nursed a deep grudge.
Enter Sir Robert Graham, a noble with his own reasons for hating James. Graham had once been a loyal subject, but James’s increasingly authoritarian rule turned him into a bitter enemy. When Graham openly defied the king in parliament and was imprisoned for it, his fate was sealed. Swearing vengeance, he escaped, gathered a group of conspirators, and began plotting the king’s murder.
By February 1437, James and his court were staying at the Blackfriars monastery in Perth. It was meant to be a time of peace, away from the intrigues of Edinburgh. But Graham and his men had other plans. On the night of February 21, the assassins infiltrated the monastery, aided by a traitorous servant who removed the bars from the king’s chamber door. As the conspirators stormed in, James tried to escape. He knew the monastery well—there had once been a sewer tunnel leading out of the building. But in an unfortunate twist of fate, James had ordered it sealed just days before to prevent tennis balls from getting lost during games. His only route to safety was gone.
Trapped in a vault beneath the floorboards, James fought for his life. Armed with nothing but his bare hands, he struggled against the assassins, but the odds were insurmountable. Graham and his men stabbed him repeatedly—some accounts say as many as 30 times. The king’s cries for help echoed through the monastery, but no rescue came in time.
Above, Queen Joan fought desperately to protect her husband. She was wounded in the chaos but managed to escape with their young son, the future James II. In the aftermath, the queen took swift action, ensuring that justice was served. She rallied loyal nobles and ordered a brutal crackdown on the conspirators. One by one, they were hunted down and executed in gruesome fashion. Robert Graham, the man who had personally killed the king, suffered a particularly horrific death—tortured for days before being torn apart.
James I’s assassination sent shockwaves through Scotland. His death left a power vacuum, and the kingdom teetered on the brink of instability. But Queen Joan and her allies secured the throne for James II, ensuring the survival of the Stuart dynasty. Despite his many flaws, James I had been a significant ruler—an ambitious reformer who sought to strengthen the monarchy and centralize power. His death was a reminder of the dangerous game of politics in medieval Scotland, where loyalty could shift in an instant, and betrayal often came from within.
The murder of James I remains one of Scotland’s most infamous regicides—a story of ambition, revenge, and the brutal realities of medieval rule. His legacy is one of both strength and controversy, a king whose vision for Scotland ultimately led to his downfall.
Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. If you enjoyed this tale of treachery and royal intrigue, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday for more fascinating historical events. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com