Capture of Berwick
Berwick is captured by the English
Role range: 1603-1625
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
James IV Biography and Timeline
Follow James IV through 44 dated historical records for Scotland.
James IV, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
44Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1482–1513Years on this page
1482
Siege of Berwick
Berwick is captured by the English
Role range: 1603-1625
1488
Coronation
Crowned King of Scotland
Role range: 1488-1513
Marriage
Marries Margaret, daughter of Henry VII
Role range: 1488-1513
1489
Rebellion of Rebels in Renfrewshire
Suppresses the rebellion in Renfrewshire
Role range: 1488-1513
Armament
Uses the giant cannon mons meg to besiege 3 rebel fortresses
Role range: 1488-1513
1491
Peace
A truce is signed between England & Scotland, a 5 year peace
Role range: 1488-1513
1492
Alliance James IV and France
Concludes an alliance with France against England
Role range: 1488-1513
1495
Marriage
Marries off Lady Catherine Gordon to Perkin Warbeck a pretender to the English throne
Role range: 1488-1513
Succession
Succeeds as King of Scotland
Role range: 1488-1513
1496
Legislation
Barons & freeholders must send sons to school at 8 or 9 to learn Latin then Art & Law
Role range: 1488-1513
Reform of Education
Barons & freeholders must send sons to school at 8 or 9 to learn Latin then Art & Law
Role range: 1488-1513
Rebellion of Rebels in Warbeck
Offers The Pretender the daughter of the Earl of Huntley in marriage
Role range: 1488-1513
Rebellion of Rebels in Warbeck
Offers The Pretender the daughter of the Earl of Huntley in marriage
Role range: 1488-1513
1497
Peace
Henry VII is forced to sue for peace with Scotland due to a rebellion in Cornwall
Role range: 1488-1513
Siege of Norham
Goes to the support of the Flemish pretender to the English throne, Perkin Warbeck
Role range: 1488-1513
Rebellion of Rebels in Warbeck
Recieves the Pretender Perkin Warbeck at court as "Prince Richard of England"
Role range: 1488-1513
1498
Marriage
Negotiarions for the marriage between Princess Margaret & James IV of Scotland begin
Role range: 1488-1513
1499
Holyrood Palace
Commences the construction of Holyrood Palace
Role range: 1488-1513
1501
Death of James IV
James IVs mistress dies, possibly for him to marry Margaret & have a male heir
Role range: 1488-1513
1502
Marriage
The marriage Treaty between James IV & Margaret Tudor is signed
Role range: 1488-1513
Marriage
A proxy mariage for James IV & Margaret takes place, Bothwell stands in for his King
Role range: 1488-1513
Peace
Concludes a peace Treaty with England
Role range: 1488-1513
1503
Marriage
Marries Princess Margaret, Henry VIIs eldest daughter
Role range: 1488-1513
Treaty of Perpetual Peace
Concluded between Henry VII & James IV
Role range: 1488-1513
1505
Armament
Begins a naval race with England
Role range: 1488-1513
1506
College of Surgeons
Grants a charter to the college of surgeons in Edinburgh
Role range: 1488-1513
1507
Sword of State
Awarded the Sword of State by by Pope Julius II
Role range: 1488-1513
1508
Arrest of Arran and Hamilton
Refuses to negotiate a Treaty with England until Arran & Hamilton are released
Role range: 1488-1513
Treaty of Friendship
Visited by Wolsey. Refuses to negotiate a Treaty of friendship until Arran & Hamilton are released
Role range: 1488-1513
1509
Birth of Arthur
Birth of Arthur, James IVs son
Role range: 1488-1513
1511
Armament
A 1,000 to warship called the "Great Michael" is completed
Role range: 1488-1513
1512
Excommunication
Excommunicated by Pope Julius II for failing to back the Holy League against France
Role range: 1603-1625
Alliance France and Scotland
The 1492 alliance between France & Scotland is renewed. James has refused to join the Holy League against France
Role range: 1603-1625
1513
Invasion of England
Joins the invasion Army at the border
Role range: 1488-1513
Siege of Norham
Captures the Border Castle of Norham while Henry VIII is fighting in France
Role range: 1603-1625
Siege of Wark Castle
Wark Castle falls to the Scots
Siege of Etall Castle
Etall Castle surrenders to the Scots
Battle of Flodden
The Earl of Surrey defeats the Scots, James IV, 11 Earls & 10,000 Scots are slain. Leads the Scots 3rd Division, men from Stirling, Linlithgow & the Lothians. Accepts the Earl of Surreys offer to do battle
Role range: 1488-1513
Louis XII asks Scotland to join France & invade England
Louis XII asks Scotland to join France & invade England
Role range: 1488-1513
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.