Scottish History
British Nobility
Become a Laird
Is This Genuine?
Carbon Footprint
Conservation
Unusual Gifts
Family Tartan
Scottish History
British Nobility
Become a Laird
Is This Genuine?
Carbon Footprint
Conservation
Unusual Gifts
Family Tartan
WITH THE USE OF A SHARED
(A remote highland lochside estate)
Have the right to address yourself as
The Laird of Glencairn & John O' Groats.
( In Scots law "Laird" is a unisex title but you can buy the title Lady Of as well)
Help conserve this unspoiled landscape for you and your descendants
£38 (shipping included)
It is believed that the relationship between Lennox and James was a homosexual one. It was Lennox who put forth the idea to James of the divine right of Kings, that he was above the people and the Church, whereas Knox and the Presbyterians thought that the King should rule Scotland for God and be an ordinary member of the Kirk.
"Out of the law of God, the duty, and allegiance of the people to their lawful King, their obedience, I say, ought to be to him, as to God's Lieutenant in earth, obeying his commands in all things, except directly against God, as the commands of Gods Minister, acknowledging him a Judge set by God over them, having power to judge them, but to be judged only by God."
James used his power to appoint bishops as a way of controlling the Kirk. Lennox encouraged the King to hunt and hold wild parties instead of governing the country. The English ambassador, Robert Bowes, said "Lennox's greatness is greatly increased, and the King so much affected to him that he delights only in his company, and thereby Lennox carries the sway."
Needless to say, Lennox was very unpopular with the Kirk. James was kidnapped by the Earl of Gowrie at Ruthven Castle where he had spent the night after hunting. James took this to heart and apparently decided that it was time to stop the exotic living. Also,
After Mary was executed, James had to keep one crucial consideration in mind and that was the succession to the throne of England. He became adept at playing a balancing game, playing off one Scottish faction against the other while keeping on friendly terms with Elizabeth.
After ten months James escaped the Ruthven lords. Lennox had fled from Scotland and now James Stewart who had denounced Morton and had been made Earl of Arran became powerful due to his influence over James. This lasted only about two years. He had ruthlessly attacked the Ruthven lords and confiscated their property for himself. He and James initiated the Black Acts which abolished self-government in the Kirk and brought it back under the control of the King. Many of the ministers fled to England where they spread rumours that James was about to abandon the Protestant faith and also revived the old rumour that James was the son of Rizzio and not Darnley. This threatened his succession chances. Elizabeth's Secretary of State, Sir Francis Walsingham, visited Scotland at this time and had given a bad report to Elizabeth.
Gray, thinking that Mary's case was hopeless, did not plead her cause but merely discussed plans for an alliance between Scotland and England. James did not want Mary put to death but he did not now want to risk his chances at the throne of England to help his mother. He could have threatened to break off negotiations with regard to the alliance and Elizabeth needing all the allies she could get because of the impending Spanish Armada problem might have reconsidered. Even Scotsmen who had been Mary's enemies felt that it would be a dishonour to their country to execute Mary. In the long run, James was indecisive. He did make some mild protests to Elizabeth, stating:
"I desire you to consider how my honour stands engaged, that is her son and a King, to suffer my mother an absolute Princess to be put to an infamous death."
On the other hand, he said to the Earl of Leicester in December 1586:
"How fond and inconstant I were if I should prefer my mother to the title [of King of England], let all men judge."
While he made protests to Elizabeth, mild though they were, his representatives gave the impression to Elizabeth that Mary's death would make no different to the alliance proceedings. Mary was beheaded on February 8, 1578.
The Scottish people saw Mary's execution as an insult to their Scottish pride, even her enemies. In order to keep in favor with the people, James exiled Gray who seemed to be responsible for the alliance. He also gave the people living on the border free rein to raid. Because of the Spanish Armada, James was able to instill himself into the good graces of Elizabeth again. He backed her, believing that if he backed the Spanish, they would destroy him after they had destroyed England. Fortunately, England defeated the Spanish Armada.
This is part of one he wrote while waiting for Anne to arrive:
"The fever hath infected every part My bones are dried, their marrow melts away, My sinnews feebles through my smoking smart, And all my blood as in a pan doth play."
Some translation might be necessary. The poem undoubtedly depicts his yearning for her. (Author's note: I have no idea what feebling through your smoking smart is but it sounds a little painful to me.)
His idea of a grand passion did not last long. James was a very well educated man and Anne was not the brightest. Besides, he probably was more interested in men than in women. However, a Queen's purpose was to produce heirs to the throne, which Anne did. They had several children (6 or 7) but only three of their children lived beyond infancy. Henry, Elizabeth and Charles.