James I (1566-1603)
James VI (son of Mary
Queen of Scots) became
James I after the death of
Elizabeth I. He accepted
the role due to his false
beliefs that England was
richer than Scotland. In
reality, England was close
to bankruptcy due to
Elizabeth’s war with Spain.
The country was disunited
by religion, economy, and
monarchy. Society and
laws. Allies included the
Dutch, German states, and
the protestants; whilst
enemies included Spain,
France, Rome, Catholics,
and the Roman Empire.
James was married to
Anne of Denmark despite being openly bisexual and committed to many other men. The King’s count was open and
lively, physical (with drunks), intellectual, dominated by Scots, and lavish. His childhood and adolescence were
unhappy, abnormal, and precarious; he had various guardians, whose treatment of him differed widely. His education,
although thorough, was weighted with strong Presbyterian and Calvinist political doctrine, and his character – highly
intelligent and sensitive, but also fundamentally shallow, vain, and exhibitionist – reacted violently to this. He also
sought solace with extravagant and unsavory male favorites who, in later years, were to have a damaging effect on
his prestige and state affairs. A suitable Queen was found for him in Anne of Denmark and they were married in
1589. As King of Scotland, he curbed the power of the nobility, although his attempts to limit the authority of the Kirk
(Church of Scotland) were less successful. He was however a supporter of literature and arts. William Shakespeare
was among the ‘King's Men’ troupe of actors who performed plays for their patron James. His foreign policy aimed
primarily at achieving closer relations with Spain was not liked by Parliament who saw Spain as the Old Catholic
enemy of the Armada and competitor for world trade. During his reign, the East India Company expanded trade
bringing spices from the East, and Jamestown was founded in Virginia. His willingness to compromise politically, even
while continuing to talk in terms of absolutism, largely accounts for the superficial stability of his reign. However, the
effects of many of his actions were long-term, becoming fully obvious only after his death.
Strengths Weaknesses
His ability to learn as well as his interest in learning His vanity
Sociability as he was outgoing His poor use of money in regards to court and favorites
His intelligence Unpopularity
His passion His banning of tobacco
“The King of Peace” His love life with his favorites
James and religion - James isolated radicals from the Church of England (Catholics and Puritans.) James sought
however a Jacobean balance, his Church was deemed ‘moderate.’ During the end of James reign, Arminianism grew
, in influence and popularity- Arminianism is a form of Protestantism that is closely aligned to Catholicism. James and
protestants were very anti-catholic and believed the Pope was the antichrist., seen in James’s two books.
James' children - Henry, Elizabeth, Margaret, Charles, Robert, Mary, Sophia - his heir, Henry died
however leaving Charles his heir.
James court - James court was expensive, loud and lively. People would openly get drunk and be
‘immortal.’ Due to James’s heritage and his dislike of the English, his court was filled with Scots and he’d
serve two meals (ante supper) and throw away one of the meals. James court was his way of trying to
gain likeability and approval due to his unpopularity.
His books - Demonologie, Basilikon Doron = Divine Right of Kings
His three favorites - Duke of Lennox (his first cousin once removed), The Earl of Somerset (Robert
Carr), and George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham.) James exiled his wife back to Denmark because of
Carr.
1586 James and Elizabeth ‘Treaty of Berwick.’ - James and Elizabeth I became allies under the Treaty of
Berwick. When his mother was executed by Elizabeth the following year, James did not protest too vociferously - he
hoped to be named as Elizabeth's successor. In 1589, James married Anne of Denmark. Three of their seven
children survived into adulthood.
24 March 1603 Elizabeth I died and James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne - Elizabeth I
died childlessly so was succeeded by her cousin, James VI of Scotland (since 1567), who henceforth assumed the
title of James I of England as well. James's accession meant that the three separate kingdoms of England, Scotland,
and Ireland were now united, for the first time, under a single monarch. James was the first Stuart ruler of England.
1603 Millenary Petition - Puritans asked for redress of abuses (eg modification of church services & robes.)
1603 Rescurancy Fines - imposed on those who did not attend Church of England services.
1603 plans to rebel - Plot against James to set his cousin Arabella Stuart on the throne. Sir Walter Raleigh is
implicated and imprisoned.
1604 Jesuits - Parliament discusses legislation against Jesuits (aggressive Catholic order.)
1604 Hampton Court Conference - Called by James to discuss a church settlement. Bishops were hostile to
reform, whilst Puritans were eager for reform. James listened to both sides but “no bishop meant no King.” Showed
James was willing to listen but reform could only be supported so far.
August 1604 James I ends the war with Spain (The Somerset House Peace Conference) - One of
James I's first acts of foreign policy was to end the long war with Spain, which had continued intermittently for 20
years. The resulting Treaty of London was largely favorable to Spain but was also an acknowledgment by the
Spanish that their hopes of bringing England under Spanish control were over. The end of the war greatly eased the
English government's near-bankrupt financial state. He tried to arrange a marriage between his son and the Spanish
Infanta. He married his daughter Elizabeth to the elector of the palatinate, Frederick, who was the leader of the
German Protestants. England and Spain were at peace for the next 50 years. Moreover, he was almost immediately
confronted with the religious conflicts of England: after his ascension to the throne, a petition was presented asking to
tolerate the Puritans.
