1. Why was Scotland a difficult country to rule?

James IV was the grandfather of Mary Queen of Scots. He was involved in a rebellion against his father, James III. The nobles who rebelled had James III murdered. Not even Kings were safe in Scotland.

1. Scotland was poor. This was at the root of a lot of problems.


2. The King was not much wealthier than some of his nobles. They were difficult to control.


3. The nobles often fought amongst each other for wealth and power. Noble families formed groups against each other.


4. There had been 300 years of warfare with England. Raiding and violence was common along the border.


5. Scotland often got mixed up in wars between England and France.