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James I Character and Views Summary Notes
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A-Level History - Paper One: James I Character and ViewsSummary Notes
James’ Character and Views of the Monarchy-
Character: Intelligent- author of a number of books, including a guide to hunting witches
entitled Daemonologie in 1597
The murder of his father Lord Darnley eight months after his birth and his mothers
execution following Catholic plots against Lizzie left James with a lifelong fear of threats to
his throne
He had a thorough education and his tutors schooled him in Presbyterian doctrine
He was outgoing and enjoyed debate and dealing with people
He was vain and shallow, spending lots of money on clothes and artwork
He was extremely trusting of his Scottish advisers and had a string of royal favourites
Views of Monarchy: Believed strongly in the Divine Right of Kings and his prerogative
Published a work entitled The True Law of Free Monarchies in 1598. In his work he made
a number of claims:
-He stated that God places kings on the throne and that monarchs should be able to wield
unrestrained power
-Kings are able to act above the law and are not subject to normal judicial procedures
-In common with most other monarchs in the early modern period, he saw Parliament as
something that served him when he required, rather than a core element of the political
system
James was pragmatic and able to distinguish between the theory of his book and the
practicalities of ruling
James saw himself as the peacemaker king in his foreign policy and also sought
compromise and negotiation with the political nation in England whilst defending his
prerogative
Court-
The court was an open and lively place which reflected the king's enjoyment of life
Noted for his open, physical interactions with his courtiers
At an extreme the court was criticised as drunken, immoral and debauched
His intellectual interests were emphasised, mainly through his patronage of Shakespeare
though his wife was a leading figure in the arts and plays during the jacobean era
Early tensions in court came through dominance of Scots in the Bedchamber
English elite held the major state offices but were concerned about the influence the Scots
could wield through their access to James
The first Englishman James appointed to the Bedchamber was Duke of Buckingham in
1615 and this created a new source of tension
Favourites-
James became increasingly close to a range of male courtiers during his reigns in
Scotland and England. Courtiers who became particularly close was seen as favourites
Most notable male favourites were Esme Stuart, Duke of Lennox who was favoured
between 1579-81; Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset who was favoured between 1607-13; and
George Villers, Duke of Buckingham who was favoured between 1615-25.
Favourites under James provoked concerns as they were men, and as such were allowed
to have an open political role, and James allowed them to have one.
Their favour was also seen as an example of the King’s debauched lifestyle and immoral
court.
George Villers was a key favourite of James and Charles, however with James it was
based on personal affection. It was James who began reconciliation between Buckingham
and Charles in 1620
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