Intro to James VI / I

• James VI of Scotland was the great, great grandson of Henry VII (Elizabeth's grandfather)
• James was born in 1566 to Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. His mother was forced to abdicate after she was accused of murdering Lord Darnley and she was executed in 1587 by Elizabeth I.
• James was raised as an orphan meaning he had a lonely childhood and felt he had to buy people's affections. He became King of Scotland in 1567 when he was 1 year old. In 1589 he married Anne of Denmark and had two sons - Henry in 1594 and Charles in 1600. He became the King of England in 1603 at 37 years old
• James firmly believed in the Divine Right of Kings - the idea that kings ruled because God had chosen them to, so he was God's earthly representative. It meant disobedience to the King was sinful
• British subjects accepted the concept as it gave society a hierarchy that God wanted. It gave ruling divine approval and created more order in society. However, there was fear that it could morph into Absolutism - a system of power concentrated by one ruler without consultation to a parliament or council
• George Buchanan taught James that Kings were chosen by the people and accountable to them, meaning they could be deposed. 


  John Knox taught James that is was the God given duty of a subject to remove or even kill and Ungodly king
• James argued that a king should govern with justice and equality. He also thought he should invite foreign merchants into the country and base the currency on Gold and Silver to help the economy grow. He stated that to be a good monarch, he must be well acquainted with his subjects and therefore it would be wise to visit all kingdoms every three years. He was a pragmatic monarch and willing to compromise unlike his son Charles I
• In 1610, James gave a speech saying that Kings are Gods on earth and that scripture endorses this. He also believed in paternalism - that Kinds are father figures of society.
• Chancery


  Court for appeals and petitions
• Deciding disputed parliamentary elections

  1. Commons

  2. Chancery
• MPs


  • Feared that if the Chancery was responsible then the government might pack parliament (Using bribery, pressure or other dubious methods to influence elections and ensure the election of supportive MPs)
• James: 'They derived all matters of privilege from him'
• MPs arguing their privileges were their own


  Issue resolved amicably with the Commons being recognised as the authority in the disputed elections
• Mutual cooperation resolved the issue of who should decide disputed parliamentary elections
• There was also the issue of the right of the Crown – his ROYAL PREROGATIVE to buy provisions and requisition transport at low prices - tended to be in southern areas –extended to his wife and son as an additional benefit. James was prepared to give up this part of his prerogative but only with compensation. But officials within his household were hostile and gave the impression James was clinging to outdated privileges. The issue was left unresolved.