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Following James I\'s murder, the regency was accepted by Archibald, fifth Earl Douglas, the leader of the most powerful family in Scotland. Since the days of Robert I, the Douglases had been extremely prominent and, at times, had rivalled the authority of the Stewart crown. James I, while attacking his own extended family, had relied on the Douglases as a counter-balance to his aims. James II (1437-60), however, perceived the authority of the Douglases as a threat. On the death of the fifth earl, in 1439, the sixth earl (a young boy) and his brother were invited to Edinburgh Castle whereupon, following the \'Black Dinner\' - when they were served a black bull\'s head (a symbol of impending death) they were murdered by supporters of the King. Although the seventh earl died naturally in 1450, the eighth earl was invited by the King to dine at Stirling Castle (under the protection of a safe-conduct).
During the meal, James II lent over and stabbed the earl.The king\'s supporters ensured the earl did not survive. From then until 1455 (and the forfeiture of the ninth and final Earl Douglas), the crown undertook a series of military expeditions to overpower the family and acquire their lands and strongholds. James II\'s militarism was not only directed at his own subjects.In 1460, he undertook a seige of Roxburgh Castle (one of only two Scottish Castle - with Berwick - still in English hands. Although the seige was successful, a cannon being fired in celebration exploded and a wedge of wood severed the King\'s leg.
James II bled to death.
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