Scottish History - The House of Stewart
James VI of Scotland, I of England Part 2 of 4

James VI (1567 - 1603) - Part 2

Esme Stuart and King James VI of Scotland

James loathed violence and was very insecure. In fact, he wore heavily padded clothing most of his life as a method of protecting himself from being stabbed. After the raid at Stirling, he found a friend and protector, Esme Stuart, whom he made Duke of Lennox. Esme had spent most of his life in France and was educated and sophisticated. Morton had given James a certain amount of power and as his confidence grew, Morton could no longer control him. Morton was accused by James Stewart of being in on the plot to kill Darnley and James did nothing to protect Morton who was executed.

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.

In "Trew Law of Free Monarchies" James wrote:

"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.

Mary's Cause

James now had a new favourite, Patrick, Master of Gray. Gray had been an agent of Mary's in France. James sent Gray to England in 1584 where Mary's supporters were trying to persuade Elizabeth to free Mary. It was Mary's claim that she should share the throne of Scotland with James. James realized how weak her position was, although at one point he had entertained this idea.

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.

Marriage of James to Anne of Denmark

James felt that it was time for him to be married. He decided on Anne of Denmark since Denmark was a prosperous country and a Protestant country. Anne was to travel to Scotland but bad weather forced a delay. James decided that he would go and fetch her which probably was an unwise decision, leaving his country for such a long time. He was gone for six months. James believed he was in love, although he had only seen a portrait of Anne before meeting her. He wrote her love sonnets.

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.

James VI (1567 - 1603) - Part 2

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Scottish History - The House of Stewart James VI of Scotland, I of England Part 2 of 4

James VI (1567 - 1603) - Part 2

Esme Stuart and King James VI of Scotland

Mary's Cause

Marriage of James to Anne of Denmark

James VI (1567 - 1603) - Part 2

Scottish History

Scotlands Kings & Queens

Scottish History - The House of Stewart
James VI of Scotland, I of England Part 2 of 4

Scotlands
Kings & Queens