He came to the throne aged nine and after his mother died in 1463 his rule was challenged by members of his family and their supporters from the nobility. He did not take control of his kingdom until 1469. In 1479 he imprisoned his brother, Alexander Stuart, Duke of Albany, who later led a rebellion against him. He was defeated and killed in battle by his own nobility, supported by his son (who succeeded him as James IV), at Sauchieburn, close to Bannockburn.