King James Scotland (1566-1625)

Siblings - had several siblings

Children - three sons and four daughters

### Hair Color

had dark reddish hair with a part-blonde, part-red, neatly-trimmed beard, longer at the front (as in a goatee).

### Best Known For

becoming the first Stuart king of England in 1603, ruling both kingdoms until his death in 1625

## About

James VI of Scotland and I of England was born on June 19, 1566, at Edinburgh Castle. He was the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her second husband, Lord Darnley. James became king of Scotland in 1567, at the age of one, after his mother was forced to abdicate the throne. He was crowned as James VI of Scotland on July 29, 1567. James became king of England and Ireland in 1603, after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. He was the first monarch of the Stuart dynasty in England. James was a firm believer in the Divine Right of Kings and the right of his bishops to run the Scottish Church. He was a strong advocate of royal absolutism and believed that kings were appointed by God to rule. James commissioned a new translation of the Bible, known as the Authorised Version or King James Bible, which was published in 1611. He was well-read and had an extensive library. James enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of the English court and returned to Scotland only once, in 1617. James married Anne of Denmark in 1589, and they had three sons and four daughters. James was succeeded by his son, Charles I, after his death on March 27, 1625, at Theobalds Palace in Hertfordshire.

## Early Life and Education

James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) was born on June 19, 1566, at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, to Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. His parents' marriage was short-lived, and Darnley was murdered when James was eight months old. James was less than a year old when he became king of Scotland in 1567. He was kept fairly isolated, but was given a good education until the age of 14. He studied Greek, French, and Latin and made good use of a library of classical and religious writings that his tutors, George Buchanan and Peter Young, assembled for him. James was an enthusiastic scholar and produced a number of books during his lifetime.

## Personal Life

King James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. He was born on June 19, 1566, at Edinburgh Castle. James married Anne of Denmark in 1589, and they had several children together. James was known for his interest in literature and the arts, and he authored works on the divine right of kings. He was also a patron of the arts and supported the construction of the Globe Theatre. James was a successful monarch in Scotland but faced difficulties ruling England, including conflicts with Parliament.

## Relationships

King James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) had a tumultuous relationship with his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, who was forced to abdicate in his favour when he was only thirteen months old. James maintained cordial ties with Queen Elizabeth I of England, even after she had his mother tried and executed in 1587. James's international and dynastic standing was increased in October 1589 by his marriage to Anne of Denmark, who bore him three sons and four daughters. James had close personal relationships throughout his life. James was a successful monarch in Scotland, but was burdened with great difficulties ruling England, and was involved in many conflicts with an active and hostile English Parliament.

## Controversies

King James VI of Scotland and I of England (1566-1625) faced several controversies during his reign. One of the most significant was his religious policies. James was a strong advocate of the divine right of kings and believed that the monarch should have control over the church. He faced conflict with the Kirk in his sustained effort to reintroduce an episcopal polity to Scotland. On his succession to the English throne, James was impressed by the church system he found there, which still adhered to an episcopate and supported the monarch's position as the head of the church. James also faced political challenges, including conflicts with the English Parliament.

## Filmography

There are several cultural depictions of King James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) in popular culture. James was first depicted in depth for the modern stage in the four-act comedy Jamie the Saxt (1936) by Scottish playwright Robert McLellan. James I was also depicted in the comic series Marvel 1602 and its sequels (2003). In addition, James I was portrayed by Angus MacDonald in Kings and Queens of England Volume II (1994), Jim Cummings (voice) in the straight-to-video animated film Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998), and Wayne Opie in the TV drama documentary Elizabeth (2000).

## Litigation

King James VI of Scotland (1566-1625) was also King of England and Ireland from 1603 until his death in 1625. During his reign, he was involved in several legal disputes, including the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Gunpowder Plot trials. James was also known for his writings on political theory, including works on the divine right of kings. His political writings were compiled in a book titled “Political Writings”.

## Quotes

Here are some quotes by King James VI of Scotland and I of England:

“Kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth.”

“The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called gods.”

“I would never argue with a man who buys ink by the barrel.”

“The fear of kings is the beginning of wisdom.”