Scholar, King, and Unifier of Crowns - James VI and I

On this day in Tudor-Stuart history, 19th June 1566, King James VI of Scotland and I of England was born at Edinburgh Castle—an infant who would one day unite two crowns and leave a lasting legacy on British history.

The only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley, James became King of Scotland at just 13 months old following his father’s murder and his mother’s forced abdication. Raised as a Protestant in a volatile Scotland, James matured into a politically astute and scholarly monarch.

In 1603, he succeeded Queen Elizabeth I of England, uniting the thrones and becoming the first monarch to rule both Scotland and England. His reign was marked by events both dramatic and defining: the Gunpowder Plot, the publication of the King James Bible, witch hunts, and his vision for a united Britain.

James was a complex figure — a believer in the divine right of kings, a published author on monarchy and morality, a man whose close male relationships stirred controversy, and a ruler who sought peace over war.

In this podcast, we explore the life, reign, and legacy of one of the most fascinating monarchs in British history.

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