Margaret Tudor travels to Scotland to marry King James IV

 

 On this day - 8th July 1503 

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 Margaret Tudor travels to Scotland to marry King James IV 

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 When nine-year-old Margaret Tudor was betrothed to twenty-five-year-old King James IV of Scotland, not all the at the Tudors court were happy.

Margaret’s grandmother, Margaret Beaufort, gave birth at just thirteen years old, and knew all too well of the perils that pregnancy could do to a young immature body.

 Fearing for the young girl who was considered small for her age, Elizabeth of York and Margaret Beaufort went to the king and convinced him to delay the marriage, until Margaret was of a more suitable age.

When she reached the age of 13, Margaret was married by proxy - she was now regarded as the Queen of Scotland.

 On 8th July 1503, Margaret Tudor said farewell to her father Henry VII, and set off to Edinburgh to marry James IV.

It was a tearful farewell, Margaret was still mourning the loss of her beloved mother, Elizabeth of York.
It would also be the last time Margaret ever saw her father.

Anne Boleyn's father, Thomas Boleyn, accompanied Princess Margaret, as they undertook a grand progress North to meet her husband.

 James met Margaret shortly after she had crossed the border - though this was not supposed to have been their first formal meeting.

James had just happened to be hunting nearby with some nobles of his court, when he suddenly decided to 'surprise' his bride by showing up unexpectedly.

Of course, luckily they were all dressed for the occasion....

 Immediately Margaret and James hit it off.
They discovered a mutual love of music, and passed a merry evening listening to minstrels and dancing.

James returned to Edinburgh, however when he heard that a stable fire had broken out in the night, killing Margaret’s favourite horses, he immediately returned to her side, so that he may comfort her.

 James then spent the day with her, and the next, and the next, during which time they seemed to enjoy the other’s company.

James gave Margaret a number of gifts, including some horses to replace those lost in the fire.

 When Margaret joined him at Edinburgh, James rode out to meet her.
He invited Margaret to share his saddle, and the two rode into the city together.

On the 8th August 1503, Margaret and James were married in Holyrood.
Between the wedding and the feasting, Margaret was anointed and crowned Queen of Scotland....

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 Source - thehistoricalnovel/the-marriages-of-margaret-tudor
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 Margaret Tudor & James IV of Scotland.

National Library of Scotland, MS, Seaton Armorial, early 17th century; via The National Archives