Robert III

Robert III, originally named John, reigned as King of Scotland from 1390 to 1406 and was the eldest son of Robert II. His tenure as monarch was marked by internal strife and challenges to his authority, largely due to his perceived weak leadership and physical infirmities from a horse-riding accident. While Robert held the title of king, much of the actual governance was handled by others, including his brother, the Duke of Albany, and his son, the Duke of Rothesay. The latter half of his reign saw a significant decline in royal authority, with the tragic death of his heir, Rothesay, under suspicious circumstances, and the capture of his younger son, James, by English pirates. Robert III's reign is often viewed as a period of decline for the Scottish monarchy, ending with his death in 1406 and the subsequent capture and imprisonment of his successor, James I, in England.