James II was besieging Roxburgh Castle — still in English hands — when one of his own siege cannons exploded and a fragment killed him instantly. He was only 30. Despite losing their king, the Scottish army continued the siege under Queen Mary of Guelders; the castle fell and was demolished. James II's death highlighted the dangers of the new gunpowder weapons he enthusiastically collected — he had also blown up several other cannons. Roxburgh's demolition ended its long history as a contested border fortress.
James II killed by cannon explosion
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