Editing Robert III of Scotland (section)

=== Albany's lieutenancy ===
[[File:The grave of Robert III, Paisley Abbey.jpg|thumb|The grave of Robert III, [[Paisley Abbey]]]]

Following Rothesay's death, and with the restoration of the lieutenancy to Albany and the Scottish defeat at the battle of Humbleton, Robert III experienced almost total exclusion from political authority and was limited to his lands in the west.<ref>Boardman, ''Early Stewart Kings'', p. 255</ref> By late 1404 Robert, with the aid of his close councilors [[Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney|Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney]], Sir David Fleming and Henry Wardlaw, had succeeded in re-establishing himself and intervened in favour of [[Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar|Alexander Stewart]], the Earl of Buchan's illegitimate son, who was in dispute with Albany over the earldom of Mar.<ref>Boardman, ''Early Stewart Kings'', p. 281</ref> Robert III again exhibited his new resolve when in December 1404 he created a new regality in the Stewartry<ref>For an understanding of the designation of baronies and earldoms into regalities and their powers during the reign of Robert III, see Alexander Grant, ''Franchises North of the Border'', pp. 193–199 in Michael Prestwick (Ed.), ''Liberties and Identities in the Medieval British Isles''</ref> for his sole remaining son and heir, [[James I of Scotland|James]], now Earl of Carrick — an act designed to prevent these lands falling into Albany's hands.<ref>Boardman,''Early Stewart Kings'', pp. 281–282</ref>

By 28 October 1405, Robert III had returned to Dundonald Castle in [[Ayrshire]]. With the king's health failing, it was decided in the winter of 1405–1406 to send the young prince to France out of the reach of Albany.<ref>Boardman, ''Early Stewart Kings'', p. 291</ref> Despite this, the manner of James's flight from Scotland was unplanned. In February 1406, James together with Orkney and Fleming, at the head of a large group of followers left the safety of Bishop Wardlaw's protection in St Andrews and journeyed through the hostile Douglas territories of [[east Lothian]] — an act probably designed to demonstrate James's royal endorsement of his custodians, but also a move by his custodians to further their own interests in the traditional Douglas heartlands.<ref>Boardman, ''Early Stewart Kings'', pp. 293–294</ref> Events went seriously wrong for James and he had to escape to the Bass Rock in the [[Firth of Forth]] along with the Earl of Orkney after his escorts were attacked by James Douglas of [[Balvenie Castle|Balvenie]], and which resulted in Sir David Fleming's death.<ref>Brown, ''James I'', ODNB</ref> Their confinement on the rock was to last for over a month before a ship from [[Danzig]], en route for France, picked them up.<ref>Boardman, ''Early Stewart Kings'', p. 293</ref> On 22 March 1406, the ship was taken by English pirates off [[Flamborough Head]], who delivered James to King Henry IV of England. Robert III had moved to Rothesay Castle where, after hearing of his son's captivity, he died on 4 April 1406, and was buried in [[Paisley Abbey]], which had been founded by the Stewarts.<ref>Penman, ''Kings and Queens of Scotland'', p. 134</ref>