Renaissance and Reformation Biographies | I James Biography

June 19, 1566
Edinburgh, Scotland
March 27, 1625
Theobalds, England

King of Scotland and King of England

"A good king will not only delight to rule his subjects by the law, but even will conform himself in his own actions thereunto, always keeping that ground, that the health of the commonwealth be his chief law."

James VI quoted in King James VI and I, Political Writings, edited by J. P. Somerville.

King James I of England began his life as King James VI of Scotland, when he was merely an infant. As regents (interim rulers) ruled his kingdom, James was educated in the humanist tradition until he came of age. (Humanism was a movement to revive the culture of ancient Greece and Rome, which initiated the Renaissance.) His rather rough Scottish mannerisms and behavior were put to the test when he took over the throne of England after the death of...