The date is November 1542.

King James V is preparing for battle with King Henry VIII’s forces at Solway Moss and so speaks to his armourer about his plans to get new kit made up.

It's true that the Royal Almain Armoury in Greenwich existed and that the King's armourer was called John Blewbury. It's also true that most armour was decorative for jousting rather than for fighting. The armour pieces listed really are used in jousting.

James did love playing with swords and fighting when young. He really did hate the Douglas clan. And his guards did scour the countryside for intruders. James was held hostage at the Battle of Linlithgow. His uncle Henry did pay for a bodyguard for him but he still didn't get on with his uncle.

He did have a special mill for polishing armour and a horse driven pole drive. His mother in law did send him a french armourer. The rules he set down for his Army are real. A Jack of Plate is as described. His Keeper of the Royal Wardrobe was indeed asked to give his personal jack to his lawyer.

The weapons listed are all real. The Battle of Haddon Rig was as described. He did fib and tell the English he was sending forces East when actually they were heading West. Because everyone was unclear who was in charge (Maxwell or Sinclair), the battle was a mess. The terrain was terrible and the men were really caught in the bog, many drowned. He also wasn't even there. The saying from the Stewart family is true. He did die of cholera or dysentry.

If you want to find out more about King James V, check out the sources and places below:

James V - Jamie Cameron

Falkland Palace