James VI and I

James VI and I was a king who ruled two kingdoms under different numbers. He was James VI of Scotland from 1567 and later became James I of England and Ireland in 1603. He was the first ruler to govern both Scotland and England at the same time. This event is called the Union of the Crowns. It meant the two countries shared one monarch, though they remained separate states.

James was born on June 19, 1566, at Edinburgh Castle. He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was queen of Scotland. When James was only one year old, his mother was forced to give up the throne. James was crowned king as an infant. Because he was too young to rule, Scotland was governed by regents. A regent is a person who rules on behalf of a child king.

James received a strong education. He was taught languages, religion, and political ideas. He became known as a learned ruler who wrote books on kingship and religion. James believed in the divine right of kings. This idea held that a king’s authority came from God. This belief influenced how James viewed his power and role as monarch.

In 1603, Elizabeth I of England died without children. James was her closest Protestant relative and was invited to become king of England and Ireland. He traveled south and was crowned James I. This united the crowns of Scotland and England for the first time. James ruled from London but continued to be king of Scotland. The two kingdoms kept separate parliaments and laws.

James’s reign in England included both cooperation and conflict with Parliament. Parliament is the law-making body of England. James often argued with members of Parliament about money and authority. During his reign, a group of Catholics planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This was an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The plot failed, and those involved were arrested and punished.

One lasting achievement of James’s reign was the publication of the King James Bible in 1611. This was an English translation of the Bible approved by the king. James ruled until his death on March 27, 1625. He was succeeded by his son, Charles I. James was buried in Westminster Abbey. His reign marked the beginning of the Stuart period in English history.