The third son of Robert III, he was shipwrecked and held captive in England from 1406 until his ransom was arranged in 1423. His rule was firm and effective, particularly once he had arrested most of his opponents who had governed Scotland during his absence, but his policy of reducing the powers of the nobility and making more use of the Scottish Parliament ultimately led to a reaction. In February 1437 he was killed by Sir Robert Graham, leader of a conspiracy against him.