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Francis of Burgundy (10 July 1525 - 9 December 1542) was a Burgundian prince and Count of Flanders who became King Consort of Scotland by marriage to James V of Scotland. Francis was his father's favourite child but had been quite sickly from birth, when he got to Scotland he found it very hard to adapt to the harsh climate and just two years into marriage Francis died just as his predecessor Madeleine of Valois had. Francis' dowry brought many riches to Scotland.

Early Life
Francis was born at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in the Duchy of Burgundy as the first and eldest child of Charles the Rich and Isabella of Austria in 1525. Francis was adored by his father and was given the titles Count of Flanders and Count of Lorraine in case he could not marry due to his health. At a young age Francis was sent to Lorraine where it was warmer than the Ducal Palace to ensure that his health stays well, he was raised by his grandfather Henry of York and later accompanied by his younger brother Charles, the heir to the duchy of Burgundy. Francis only ever visited the Ducal Palace in the summer months when it was warmer. He was originally betrothed to Henri, Duke of Orleans (later Henry II of France)

Treaty of Lorraine & Marriage
In 1540, Charles the Rich of Burgundy signed the Treaty of Lorraine with Scotland that formerly created an alliance with Scotland. Part of this alliance was for the King of Scotland, James V to marry Francis' cousin Anna of France and court her at the Ducal Palace of Lorraine where Francis and his grandfather were living.

While he was courting Anna, James met Francis and the two were quite smitten with one another which urged James to ask Francis' father for his sons hand in marriage. Originally Charles the Rich was deeply against the marriage after seeing what happened to the also sickly Madeleine of Valois but allowed the marriage to go through as Francis begged his father. Francis' dowry was sizeable and contained not only many riches but also the Counties of Flanders and Lorraine which would increase Scotland's involvement on the continent in future years. Francis engrossed himself in learning about Scotland in the months before the marriage occurred.

The marriage occurred on the 16 July 1540 in the Chateau de Lataix in Flanders, weeks of celebrations followed before James returned to Scotland this time bringing his young new Consort, they landed three weeks later.

King Consort of Scotland
Francis was granted the vast assets that had previously been retained by Madeleine of France such as the Earldoms of Fife, Strathearn, Ross, and Orkney with Falkland Palace, Stirling Castle, and Dingwall Castle, with the Lordship of Galloway and Threave Castle. Francis' father had also granted James vast assets in Burgundy and sent many wedding presents.

Francis' cargot included, Furniture, Jewelry, Clothing, Tapestries, Gold and many other fine possessions that he had recieved from his father upon his marriage or had taken from his home in Lorraine. Francis was sweet, pure and docile and enjoyed decorating and embroidery and was not big on politics. One of his first projects as King Consort was decorating his rooms in Falkland Palace with elaborate tapestries and furniture that he had brought from Burgundy.

Francis and James were said to have been in love and had two children in their 2 year marriage, one even became James VI of Scotland. Francis was rarely seen as he was regularly bedridden with sickness or coldness.

Death
Francis died on the 9 December 1542 in Edinburgh Castle after giving birth a few hours previously to a daughter named Mary. King James was away fighting at Solway Moss when Francis died and didn't receive the news until he returned home to Edinburgh when he was already heartbroken at the loss of his son and the loss of the battle of Solway Moss. Upon James' death just 5 days later, his son James became King under the regency of her aunt Elizabeth Stewart.

James VI of Scotland (1541 - 1609)
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