King James I

Date of Birth: 19 June 1566

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 27 March 1625

Biography

James VI and I (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. The son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, James became king of Scotland at the age of thirteen months after his mother was compelled to abdicate in his favor. He was the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland, a personal union that would later be referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was a highly intellectual monarch and was responsible for commissioning the King James Version of the Bible, which has had an enduring influence on English literature and language. His reign saw the establishment of the first permanent English colony in America, at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Despite his many achievements, his reign was also marked by political and religious conflicts, including struggles with Parliament and issues stemming from his belief in the divine right of kings.

5 Interesting Facts about King James I

1. James VI and I was a patron of the arts and literature, most famously commissioning the King James Bible in 1604, which was completed in 1611.

2. He was an advocate for the divine right of kings, a political doctrine that asserted that kings derived their authority from God, not from their subjects.

3. James was the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland, leading to the eventual formation of the United Kingdom.

4. His reign saw the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt by Catholic extremists to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate the king.

5. James was a fluent writer and scholar, authoring works on various topics including theology, witchcraft, and the art of kingship.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from King James I

1. “A king is, in the opinion of the wisest men, the most necessary part of a commonwealth.”

2. “I will govern according to the common weal, but not according to the common will.”

3. “Kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth.”

4. “I am the husband, and all the whole Isle is my lawful wife; I am the head, and it is my body.”

5. “Hath not God first anointed me king? Wherefore, as I am a king, I am a god to my people.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by King James I is difficult to quantify in modern terms, but as the monarch of both England and Scotland, he controlled extensive lands, resources, and revenues. Estimates suggest he had access to wealth equivalent to hundreds of millions in today’s dollars.

Children

James I had seven children with his wife, Anne of Denmark, though only three survived to adulthood: 1. Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales (1594–1612) – Heir apparent who died young. 2. Elizabeth Stuart (1596–1662) – Married Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and became known as the “Winter Queen.” 3. Charles I (1600–1649) – Succeeded James I as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.