 Portrait of James I after John De Critz the Elder ©
James was offspring of the doomed match between Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley, who was murdered early in 1567 before James was one year old. Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her son when he was only 13 months, and the infant king took up the Scottish throne. John Knox, Reformation leader, preached the sermon at James' coronation. James' childhood was turbulent, marred by a long and troubled minority which saw a succession of regents as well as civil war. A more positive influence came in the form of George Buchanan, who imparted intellectual curiosity in the young king that was to stay with him for life.
James became the first Stuart king of England in 1603 under the terms of the Treaty of Berwick which he had signed with Elizabeth I in 1586. The Treaty pledged allegiance between the two countries and promised mutual help against invasion, thus protecting England from France. And so James acquiesced to his mother's execution and remained neutral when the Spanish Armada threatened English shores.
As Scottish king he consented to an act of parliament establishing Presbyterianism in Scotland and with support he subdued the Roman Catholic earls. He married Anne of Denmark whom he loved and together they had nine children.
The move to England came with the death of Elizabeth. On arrival he realised that he was considered an alien and his strong opinions about the divine right of kings earned him a reputation for narrow-mindedness and intellectual bullying. His tract Basilicon Doron (meaning 'the kingly gift') was intended as an instruction manual to his eldest son, Prince Henry, should the father die - after all, frequent attempts were made on James' life - but the text was leaked and used as an example of James' dogma.
Yet despite his critics, James is considered a highly successful king. He made it clear that he intended to radically change the Elizabethan church, heralding his cause with the slogan, 'No bishop, no king!' Although this prompted Catholic reaction, such as the failed Gunpowder plot, James was able to make a lasting impression on church history, commissioning a version of the Bible that was to become the standard text for more than 250 years - the King James Bible. His run-ins with Parliament, which led for example to the Addled Parliament in 1614, did not lead to serious rebellion. And in foreign policy he was an arbitrator: he made peace with Spain and aspired to achieve even greater stability throughout Europe, but his efforts were thwarted by Protestant opinion in Britain and Spanish resistance. Further abroad, he reigned over the beginning of Empire and authorized the Evangelistic Grant Charter to settle the Colony of Virginia.
As well as numerous attempts on his life, James I (VI of Scotland) suffered from ill-health and depression after the early death of Prince Henry in 1612. He was particularly distraught at the loss of his beloved wife in 1619. The King himself passed away on March 27th, 1625, and is buried in Westminster.
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