James VI Biography and Timeline

Birth of James VI

Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Darnley, Edinburgh Castle. Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots, in Edinburgh Castle

Role range: 1567-1625

Birth of James VI

Mary and Darnley's son James is born with a strong hereditary claim to both Scotland and, through Margaret Tudor, the English crown.

James VI Baptised at Stirling

James is baptised in a major royal ceremony that publicly confirms the survival of the infant at the centre of the Scottish succession.

Coronation

Scotlands 1st Protestant coronation, the "mother tongue" of Scotland is used. Scotlands 1st Protestant coronation. Crowned in accordance with Protestant rites in Holyrood Church

Role range: 1567-1625

James VI Crowned King of Scots

The thirteen-month-old James is crowned King of Scots, giving England's increasingly important Stuart claimant an independent crown.

Role range: 1567-1625

Arrest of James VI

The Hamiltons & Gordons break into Stirling Castle & capture the young King

Role range: 1567-1625

Succession

Assumes full power as the King of Scotland

Role range: 1567-1625

Arrest of James VI

Escapes after 10 months captivity from the Protestant nobles

Role range: 1567-1625

Befriends his mothers captor Elizabeth I

Befriends his mothers captor Elizabeth I

Role range: 1567-1625

Treaty of Berwick

Promised an annual Grant by Elizabeth I

Role range: 1567-1625

James Becomes Principal Stuart Claimant

After his mother's execution, James remains the strongest adult claimant descended from Margaret Tudor and increasingly becomes central to expectations about Elizabeth's successor.

Role range: 1567-1625

Marriage

Marries Anne of Denmark

Role range: 1567-1625

Assassination of James VI

Gowrie & Ruthven conspire to kill James VI but are killed in the attempt

Role range: 1567-1625

Death of James VI

Gowrie & Ruthven conspire to kill James VI but are killed in the attempt

Role range: 1567-1625

James Maintains Direct Correspondence with Elizabeth

James continues direct correspondence with Elizabeth while cultivating the relationship that supports his expectation of succeeding peacefully to the English crown.

Role range: 1567-1625

Elizabeth Writes James in Final Months

Elizabeth writes to James early in her final year, maintaining the diplomatic relationship with the ruler increasingly expected to succeed her.

Role range: 1567-1625

James VI Proclaimed James I of England

James VI of Scotland is proclaimed King James I of England, uniting the crowns through the dynastic line created by Margaret Tudor's marriage.

Role range: 1567-1625

Constitution of Scotland

All those born in Scotland after the succession will become English citizens

Role range: 1567-1625

Coronation

Accession of James VI to the throne of England as James I

Role range: 1567-1625

Unification

All those born in Scotland after the succession will become English citizens. Accession of the Union of the Crowns

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Bible Use

Commissions the Authorized Version of the Bible

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Church Governance

Sets about anglicizing the Kirk

Role range: 1567-1625

Unification

The Union Jack is designed following the union of the 2 crowns. The Union Jack has the crosses of St George & St Andrew

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Church Governance

Had increased the number of Scottish Bishops to 11 & created 2 Archbishoprics

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Legal System

2 Courts of High Commission are established to help Bishops enforce ecclesiastical law

Role range: 1567-1625

Constitution of Scotland

Convenes the General Assembly

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Church Governance

Fails to impose the episcopacy on the Kirk

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Church Governance

Private communon & baptism are allowed. Easter & Christmas are to be celebrated as religious festivals. Confirmations are to be performed by Bishops not Minister's

Role range: 1567-1625

Constitution of Scotland

Bans the General Assembly because it resists his religious reforms

Role range: 1567-1625

Reform of Government

Introduces the Five Articles of Perth but there is much resistance to them

Role range: 1567-1625