Marriage
Marries Anne of Denmark
Role range: 1603-1625
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
James I Biography and Timeline
Follow James I through 81 dated historical records for England.
James I, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
81Distinct records
1 of 3Page
1589–1608Years on this page
1589
1603
Union of Crowns
Accession of James VI of Scotland to the throne of England as James I
Role range: 1603-1625
Hampton Court Conference
While many of the main Puritan goals were rebutted, the Millenary Petition culminates in the Hampton Court Conference, which eventually led James to commission a new English translation of the bible, now known as the King James Version
Role range: 1603-1625
Millenary Petition
It is claimed, but not proven, that this petition had 1,000 signatures of Puritan ministers. This carefully worded document expressed Puritan distaste regarding the state of the Anglican Church
Role range: 1603-1625
Millenary Petition
The Millenary Petition is a list of requests given to James I by Puritans in 1603 when he was travelling to London in order to claim the English throne.
Role range: 1603-1625
Millenary Petition
While many of the main Puritan goals were rebutted, the Millenary Petition culminates in the Hampton Court Conference, which eventually led James to commission a new English translation of the bible, now known as the King James Version.
Role range: 1603-1625
Coronation
Coronation of James I, great grandson of James IV & Margaret Tudor
Role range: 1603-1625
Peerage
Acquires the title & estates of the Earl of Warwick
Role range: 1603-1625
Reform of Royal Succession
Persuades the Grand Assembly in Scotland to appoint Bishops & increase their authority
Role range: 1603-1625
1604
Reform of Bible Use
Authorizes the King James Bible
Role range: 1603-1625
King James Version Bible
The Hampton Court Conference also bore fruit for the Puritans, who insisted that man know Gods word without intermediaries, as it led to Jamess commissioning of that translation of the Christian Bible into the English vernacular, which would be known as the Authorised Version because it alone was authorised to be read in Churches. It is now commonly described as the King James Version
Role range: 1603-1625
Purge
James I orders all Priests out of the realm
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Orders all Jesuits and all other Catholic priests to leave the country, and reimposed the collection of fines for recusancy
Role range: 1603-1625
Legislation
James I introduces a Bill to classify all catholics as excommunicates
Role range: 1603-1625
Excommunication
James I introduces a Bill to classify all catholics as excommunicates
Role range: 1603-1625
Peace Negotiations
Authorises negotiations intended to end the long Anglo-Spanish War soon after his accession to the English throne.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
Commercial Peace
Restores formal peaceful relations intended to reopen normal trade and maritime contact with Spanish territories.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
English Channel Access
Restores peacetime passage for Spanish shipping through waters controlled by England.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
Privateering Restrictions
Accepts peace terms ending official English wartime attacks on Spanish maritime traffic.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
Treaty of London
Concludes peace with Spain and the Spanish Netherlands, ending the long Anglo-Spanish War.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
Dutch Support
Agrees to end official English military and financial support for the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1603-1625
Conference of Hampton Court
James I meets the representitives of the English Puritans, leads to Jamess commissioning of the King James Version of the Bible
Role range: 1603-1625
King James Bible
James I meets the representitives of the English Puritans, leads to Jamess commissioning of the King James Version of the Bible
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
In what became known as the Bye Plot, the priests William Watson and William Clark planned to kidnap James and hold him in the Tower of London until he agreed to be more tolerant towards Catholics
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Lord Cobham, Lord Grey de Wilton, Lord Markham, and Walter Ralegh, hatched what became known as the Main Plot, which involved removing James and his family and supplanting them with Arbella Stuart.
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Sir George Brooke is executed, but James, keen not to have too bloody a start to his reign, reprieved Cobham, Grey, and Markham while they were at the scaffold. Ralegh, who had watched while his colleagues sweated, was also reprieved.
Role range: 1603-1625
Main Plot
Lord Cobham, Lord Grey de Wilton, Lord Markham, and Walter Ralegh, hatched what became known as the Main Plot, which involved removing James and his family and supplanting them with Arbella Stuart
Role range: 1603-1625
1605
Gunpowder Treason Plot
The letter had been shown to the king on Friday 1 November, James felt that it hinted at "some strategem of fire and powder",perhaps an explosion exceeding in violence the one that killed his father, Lord Darnley, in 1567
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
The Privy Council tell James that they had decided to undertake a search of Parliament, "both above and below"
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
The king ordered a second, more thorough search to be made of the undercroft, and at about midnight Fawkes was discovered guarding the gunpowder, and arrested
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Londoners celebrate the well-being of their King, James I. Initially an effigy of Pope Paul V is burnt. 1st official Guy Fawkes Night bonfire is lit on the night of the Gunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605
Role range: 1603-1625
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Bonfires are set alight to celebrate the safety of James I. A plot to blow up James I & the Commons is uncovered. A Catholic group led by Guy Fawkes is arrested
Role range: 1603-1625
Rebellion of Rebels in London
A plot to blow up James I & the Commons is uncovered
Role range: 1603-1625
Presbyterian Assembly
Abolishes the Presbyterian Assembly in Scotland
Role range: 1603-1625
Arrest of Andrew Melville
James I has Andrew Melville arrested for mocking the English Church
Role range: 1603-1625
1606
Gunpowder Treason Plot
Fawkes, Wintour, Ambrose, Rookwood & Keyes are hanged, drawn & quartered
Role range: 1603-1625
Unification
Designs the Union Jack with the crosses of St George & St Andrew
Role range: 1603-1625
1607
Birth of Sophia
Birth of Sophia, James & Annes last child
Role range: 1603-1625
Unification
The Scottish Parliament passes an Act of Union
Role range: 1603-1625
1608
Arrest of Leading clansmen of the Hebrides
Has Argyll arrest the leading clansmen of the Hebrides, ends the rebellion
Role range: 1603-1625
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.