Monarch of the Month returns once again, for your monthly royal biography! I’ve made a slight change to this series, in that I’m going to focus on the Tudors and later (because people don’t appear to be interested in the earlier monarchs). I will cover everything the same, but focus my attention later. So, we’ve got one of the most interesting English (and Scottish) monarchs: King James I! Already sitting on the Scottish throne, James inherited a complex and religiously divided England. He also had some quirks of his own (in both kingdoms). So, let’s dive into James VI/I and and see what makes him a fascinating figure!
Monarch of the Month: James I Fast Facts
Birth Date: 19 June 1566
Death Date: 27 March 1625
Reign: Scotland: 24 July 1567- 27 March 1625, England: 24 March 1603- 27 March 1625
Coronation Date: Scotland: 29 July 1567 , England: 25 July 1603
Predecessor: Scotland: Mary, Queen of Scots, England: Elizabeth I
Successor: Charles I
House: Stuart
Father: Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley
Mother: Mary, Queen of Scots
Spouse(s): Anne of Denmark
Why Do We Know James I?
You probably either know James I as being the only child of Mary, Queen of Scots and her second husband, Lord Darnley, or as the King on the English throne during the Gunpowder Plot. In regards to his parents, he really spent no time with either one of them at all, but it did give him quite a dramatic start in life. And thankfully, the Gunpowder Plot was stopped before it could come to fruition, and James and the Houses of Parliament weren’t blown to pieces. In any case, he had quite the dramatic life.
James I’s Early Life- Born Into Chaos
James was born at Edinburgh Castle in June 1566- you can actually still visit the room now! (See above) Mary had rashly married Darnley, without thinking through the reality of their marriage. He demanded to be King of Scotland, and was furious that she wouldn’t concede. He was easily swayed by different factions, and it isn’t shocking that he ended up dead a few months after James was born. (But who killed him?? That is still unanswered…) Mary was forced to abdicate in July of 1567, and James was crowned as King of Scotland at a little over a year old.
A Very Protestant Upbringing
In spite of his very Catholic mother and father, James was brought up as Protestant. James’ regents and tutors specifically sought to provide him a Scottish Presbyterian upbringing, not a particularly care-free childhood. In 1580, Esmé Stuart- cousin to his father and future Earl of Lennox- became James’ favourite. The young King was only 13 and Stuart 37, but he acted as a friend and mentor to James. Being French, he was a Roman Catholic, but when pressed to decide, he converted to Calvinism.
The Ruthven Raid and Independence
The Scottish nobles were not thrilled with Lennox’s influence over James and decided to take matters into their own hands. In August of 1582, the very Protestant Earls of Gowrie and Angus struck- they lured James to Ruthven Castle and kept him imprisoned for 10 months until June of 1583. Lennox was forced to leave Scotland and James was not particularly thrilled. Upon his release, he took stronger control of England and did not have another regent.
In 1586, James signed the Treaty of Berwick with England, guaranteeing peace, and in 1587, his mother was finally executed. He married Anne of Denmark in 1589, and their first child, Henry Frederick was born in 1594. (James seemed to have a preference for men, but nevertheless, they did have several children together.) Interestingly, it was after his trip to Denmark that he became fascinated with witch-hunting for the rest of his life.
Taking The English Throne
James managed to secure what his mother had so desperately wanted- the English throne. On her deathbed (death chair?), Elizabeth I named James as her successor. With no children of her own, James was the next logical choice. In 1603, James became James I of England, and held both crowns. (The two crowns would not be united until the reign of Queen Anne in the eighteenth century.) He survived several plots in the first years of his reign in England, including the Bye Plot, the Main Plot, and the Gunpowder Plot. Although he was a Protestant, many Catholics in England wanted a Catholic monarch again.
Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, died in 1612 at the age of 18 from typhoid fever. His younger brother Charles, became the Prince of Wales- unfortunate given that he wasn’t educated to be the Prince of Wales or King. (WHY WILL NO ROYALS REALISE THAT YOU SHOULDN’T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET, FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS??)
Religion, Culture, and Physical Spaces in Stuart England
James physically and mentally left his mark on England. In January of 1604, James held the Hampton Court Conference, where he met with leading members of the Church of England (including Puritans). You may very well be familiar with one of the outcomes today, the King James Bible. James commissioned the translation after the conference, and it is still used by many people today.
James and Anne enjoyed a festive court. He often went out hunting with his favourites and friends, with all of the drinking and entertainment that went along with it. And of course, the masque. Masques were theatrical events that were usually semi-allegorical, where different members of the court would participate and perform. They were massive social events- they featured lavish sets and elaborate costumes, and they were the place to be seen. (If you would like to read more on masques, visit my post here!)
Two of my favourite spots in London were actually commissioned in James’ reign. The Queen’s House in Greenwich was commissioned in 1615 in honour of Anne, but work stopped in 1619 with her death. (It was continued after, for Queen Henrietta Marie.) Banqueting House, the only surviving piece of the Palace of Whitehall, is also one of James’ commissions. The beautiful ceiling panels are a later commission from Charles I, but James did use Banqueting House frequently, and would drink in the undercroft with his friends.
Jane Austen’s Take on James I
Austen had quite a bit to say about England under James I in The History of England by a partial, prejudiced & ignorant Historian . She doesn’t have quite as strong an opinion of James here, compared to other monarchs in her History, but it is an interesting read nevertheless. (I have used the Quince Tree Press version, there are no page numbers. If you would like to find it, the ISBN is 9780900847882. Spelling and punctuation are copied directly)
Though this King had some faults, among which & as the most principal, was his allowing his Mother’s death, yet considered on the whole I cannot help liking him. He married Anne of Denmark, and had several Children; fortunately for him his eldest son Prince Henry died before his father or he might have experienced the evils which befell his unfortunate Brother.
As I am myself partial to the roman catholic religion it is with infinite regret that I am obliged to blame the Behaviour of any Member of it; yet Truth being i think very excusable in an Historian, I am necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England did not behave like Gentlemen to the Protestants. Their Behaviour indeed to the Royal Family & both Houses of Parliament might justly be considered by them as very uncivil, & even Sir Henry Percy tho’ certainly the best bred Man of the party, had none of that general politeness which is so universally pleasing, as his Attentions were enitirely confined to Lord Mounteagle.
Sir Walter Raleigh flourished in this & the preceding reign & is by many people held in great veneration & respect. But as he was an enemy of the noble Essex, I have nothing to say in praise of him & must refer all those who may wish to be acquainted with the particulars of his Life to Mr Sheridan’s play of the Critic, where they will find many interesting ANecdotes as well of him as of his friend Sir Christopher Hatton. – His Majesty was of that amiable disposition which inclines to Freindships, & in such points was possessed of a keener penetration in Discovering Merit than many other people. I once heard an excellent Sharade on a Carpet, of which the subject I am now on reminds me, & as I think it may afford my Readers some Amusement to find it out, I shall here take the liberty of presenting it to them.
Sharade/My first what my second was to King James the 1st, and you tread on my whole.
The principal favourites of His Majesty were Car, who was afterwards created Earl of Somerset and whose name may have some share in the above mentioned Sharade, & George Villiers afterwards Duke of Buckingham. On his Majesty’s death was succeeded by his son Charles.
James I: Interesting Facts
– James was known for slobbering, mumbling, and not bathing all too frequently. It is thought now that he perhaps may have had cerebral palsy or porphyria.
– James wrote the first anti-smoking pamphlet, A Counterblaste to Tobacco
– He continued Elizabeth’s foray into the New World- the first English North American settlement, Jamestown, was founded in 1607.
– He was a patron of the arts, and supported many Scottish poets, writers, and musicians.
Further Readings on James I
Cogswell, Thomas. James I- The Phoenix King. Penguin, 2017.
Fraser, Antonia. King James, VI of Scotland, I of England. George Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1974.
Stewart, Alan. The Cradle King: The Life of James VI and I, The First Monarch of a United Great Britain. St. Martin’s Press, 2003.
Rex Factor Podcast. James I episode.
Looking for my earlier Monarch of the Month posts? Read about Mary I here! And read About Anne here! Edward the Confessor more your speed? Or William IV? Edward IV?
Cheers,
The Historian
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