Born in 1370, James was the first son of John I, Count of La Marche[1] and Catherine of Vendôme.

His troops burned Plymouth in 1403,[4] but twelve ships of his fleet were lost in a storm while returning to France in 1404.

[5] It was hoped James would break the power of her court favorites, Pandolfo Alopo and Muzio Sforza.

[5] James had Alopo executed and imprisoned Sforza, but also kept the queen in confinement and aspired to personal rule.

[5] The indignant barons captured and imprisoned him in 1416; he was compelled to free Sforza and resign the kingship, and was ejected from the kingdom in 1419.