Henry Bolingbroke vs James V of Scotland

Henry Bolingbroke was exiled from England by King Richard II following a dispute with Thomas de Mowbray. The exile was initially for ten years, later commuted to life, stripping Henry of his inheritance and prompting his return to claim the throne.

Henry landed at Ravenspur in Yorkshire with a small force while Richard II was in Ireland. He gathered support from nobles, captured Richard, and forced his abdication. Parliament then accepted Henry as King Henry IV, establishing the Lancastrian dynasty.

Henry IV's forces defeated a rebellion led by Henry Percy (Hotspur) and the Earl of Worcester. The battle was the first major engagement between English armies using longbows. Hotspur was killed, ending the Percy rebellion and securing Henry's throne.

Henry IV's forces captured Harlech Castle, the headquarters of Owain Glynd

Henry IV suffered from a debilitating illness, possibly leprosy or epilepsy, which weakened his ability to govern. Factional struggles between his son Prince Henry and Archbishop Arundel intensified. The king's health declined further, leading to his death in 1413.

James V married Mary of Guise, a French noblewoman, as his second wife. The marriage strengthened the Auld Alliance with France and produced a daughter, Mary, who would become Mary Queen of Scots.

James V executed James Hamilton of Finnart, a powerful noble and former regent, for treason. The execution was part of James's policy to curb noble power and centralize royal authority, but it created lasting enmity with the Hamilton family.

James V conducted a campaign to suppress the Lords of the Isles, who had long held semi-independent power in the Highlands and Islands. He executed the last Lord of the Isles, Donald Dubh, and annexed their territories to the crown.

James V's Scottish army was routed by a smaller English force at Solway Moss near the River Esk. The defeat was a humiliating disaster, with many Scottish nobles captured. James V died shortly after, reportedly of despair.