Rhyme Royal

James wrote The Kingis Quair in a rhyme scheme ababbcc which became know as rhyme royal even though he was not the first to use it. He wrote, "I recommend my buk in lynis sevin" but he most likely learned this scheme from Chaucer or the French.
With so much of the contemporary poetry written in free verse, does the use of traditional rhyme schemes seem more restrictive or is there just a lack of discipline in the creative skills of modern poets?

Joan Beaufort

King James' imprisonment must not have been too confining since he met Joan Beaufort while in prison. He married her in 1423 a few year's after his release and they had eight children.

Dream Literature

Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy and his use of a dream vision or dream allegory greatly influenced medieval literature. King James I used this format for his Kingis Quair. However, the love relationship in the work was focused on a personal marital relationship, quite different than the idealized love found in most other works due to such poets as Guillaume de Lorris. His work also was predominantly autobiographical not only because of his descriptions of his relationship with his wife, but also his imprisonment by the English.

Cawdor

One step back for a moment, if you please. For those who like that Scottish play and things Scottish, read Liza Campbell's A Charmed Life: Growing up in Macbeth's Castle. It is a very interesting read and rife with history (recent and ancient).