James II (16 October 1430 – 3 August 1460), who reigned as king of Scots from 1437 on, is the son of James I and Joan Beaufort.
Nothing is known of his early life, but by his first birthday his only brother, Alexander, who is also older, has died, thus making James the heir apparent and Duke of Rothesay.
Curiously, James holds no other titles while Duke of Rothesay.
On February 21, 437, James I is assassinated and the six-year-old Duke of Rothesay immediately succeeds him as James II.
In 1449, nineteen-year-old James marries fifteen-year-old Mary of Guelders, daughter of the Duke of Gelderland.
She has numerous royal ancestors such as John II of France and John of Bohemia.
She bears him seven children, six of whom survive into adulthood.
Subsequently, the relations between Flanders and Scotland improve.
James's nickname, Fiery Face, referredsto a conspicuous vermilion birthmark on his face which appears to have been deemed by contemporaries an outward sign of a fiery temper.
James is a politic and singularly successful king.
He is popular with the commoners, with whom, like most of the Stewarts, he socializes often, both in times of peace and war.
His legislation has a markedly popular character.
He does not appear to have inherited his father's taste for literature, which is "inherited" by at least two of his sisters; but the foundation of the university of Glasgow during his reign, by Bishop Turnbull, shows that he encouraged learning; and there are also traces of his endowments to St. Salvator's, the new college of Archbishop Kennedy at St Andrews.
He possesses much of his father's restless energy.
However, his murder of the Earl of Douglas leaves a stain on his reign.
