James I of Scotland does not die

James I of Scotland was the third monarch from the House of Stewart, and spend a lot of his life in England, after being captured. Upon his return from England, he set about destroying the Albany Stewarts and trying to bring some order to Scotland. For whatever reason, his uncle Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, who had been so key to his return to Scotland had turned against him and plotted with his grandson and with Sir Robert Graham to have him murdered. This happend in 1437, with the King being stabbed to death in an abbey.

Now, this was the start of the long regencies for Stewart Kings that continued until James IV broke that cycle. However, what might the consequences have been if James I had managed to escape being killed? Perhaps he successfully sneaks out of the abbey and retreats to a safe haven? \In this instance, I imagine then that there would be a civil war that breaks out, as he declares Walter a traitor? If not then certainly Walter would be executed alongside any conspirators found with him.

Alternatively, what if Walter dies from old age-he was sixty-seven when he did the deed- so if he dies before he can carry out the plot, what then?

Your thoughts are most welcome:

@Tyler96 @Jonathan @mcdnab @FalconHonour @Kellan Sullivan
 
How shaky was James' hold on Scotland at this point? In the event of a civil war would Atholl get any meaningful support, or would his attempt to kill the king be seen as a step too far and result in the nobility closing ranks against him (and perhaps hoping for spoils from his defeat)?
 
MUI that his hold was pretty good and getting stronger; that was why he was assasinated. ( Though anyone with more knowledge is free to correct me.)
If James had survived long enough to pass on power to an adult son, at the very least, I do not think the Douglas’s would be the threat they became. A threat certainly. That long line of regencies - every monarch for close two centuries, except James IV, did Scotland no favours.
 
*sees title*
So he's like immortal then?

Tbh, I'll have to think about it some. But off the bat, I'm not sure civil war is necessarily gonna happen. Sure, Walter might be declared traitor etc if the plot is uncovered, but I imagine all of those who are implicated are either gonna rush to distance themselves from him - especially if the king makes a public spectacle of Walt's execution - and pledge undying loyalty to the king (until next week) or are gonna leave the country to save their own hides.
I have no idea how detailed the plot was, but if Walt's the brains behind it (the spider pulling the strings and moving every one into position) rather than just the guy pulling the trigger, take Walt (and maybe one or two other NB conspirators) from the equation and the plot collapses
 
Alright interesting. So in summary james survives, Walter abd other leading conspirators die. James strengthens royal authority further and likeltmlivelong enough to pass the throne to an adult
James II. Furthermore the Douglas family doesn’t rise as quickly
 
Alright interesting. So in summary james survives, Walter abd other leading conspirators die. James strengthens royal authority further and likeltmlivelong enough to pass the throne to an adult
James II. Furthermore the Douglas family doesn’t rise as quickly

Except was the Douglas family already fairly powerful and prominent before James I even got to the throne?
 
They definitely were already powerful. It is just that w/out another regency they may not have become the threat that they did OTL.
 
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