King James I & VI

King James had bad press as the king who: King James had bad press as the king who: ””slobbered at the mouth and had favourites”slobbered at the mouth and had favourites”

He was undignified and was perceived has having He was undignified and was perceived has having homosexual tendencieshomosexual tendencies

He was swayed by his favouritesHe was swayed by his favourites He hated war and was seen as a cowardHe hated war and was seen as a coward He was bored by administrative detailHe was bored by administrative detail SpendthriftSpendthrift ExtravagantExtravagant NeglectfulNeglectful UnkemptUnkempt UndignifiedUndignified CasualCasual InformalInformal Allowed a promiscuous courtAllowed a promiscuous court

The war he inherited from Elizabeth was expensiveThe war he inherited from Elizabeth was expensiveHe ended it in 1604 but his extravagance used up He ended it in 1604 but his extravagance used up the military war budgetthe military war budgetCosts of the royal household:Costs of the royal household:1600 ₤14,0001600 ₤14,0001607 ₤20,0001607 ₤20,0001622 ₤31,0001622 ₤31,000By 1606 James was ₤550,000 in debtBy 1606 James was ₤550,000 in debtHis ministers tried to reduce expenditure and His ministers tried to reduce expenditure and increase revenueincrease revenue

There was a perception that an extravagant There was a perception that an extravagant court was increasing taxescourt was increasing taxes

Court circles felt that Parliament was unable Court circles felt that Parliament was unable to raise money therefore there was a need to raise money therefore there was a need to raise funds from extra parliamentary to raise funds from extra parliamentary revenuesrevenues

James left for England in April 1603James left for England in April 1603 The English flocked to see him on his The English flocked to see him on his

journey:journey: ““The people of all sorts rid and ran, nay The people of all sorts rid and ran, nay

rather flew to meet me, their eyes flaming rather flew to meet me, their eyes flaming nothing but sparkles of affection their nothing but sparkles of affection their mouths and tongues uttering nothing but mouths and tongues uttering nothing but sounds of joy.”sounds of joy.”

James was so happy that he created 300 James was so happy that he created 300 new knightsnew knights

He finally entered London in May.He finally entered London in May.

James was 36 years old, a James was 36 years old, a Protestant and he had two sons. Protestant and he had two sons.

It was a promising start.It was a promising start.

He had written book on kingship called He had written book on kingship called Basilikon Doron, Basilikon Doron, for his eldest son Henry.for his eldest son Henry.The book was well received in EnglandThe book was well received in EnglandJames was, in his own words, James was, in his own words,

””..an old experienced king..”..an old experienced king..”At this stage there was much goodwill At this stage there was much goodwill towards James.towards James.It was also hoped that the corruption of It was also hoped that the corruption of Elizabeth’s rule would end under James.Elizabeth’s rule would end under James.

Elizabeth, although frugal, had left a debt of Elizabeth, although frugal, had left a debt of ₤400,000 but this reduced to ₤100,000 when ₤400,000 but this reduced to ₤100,000 when Elizabeth’s final revenues came in.Elizabeth’s final revenues came in.

Although Elizabeth had had to contend with Although Elizabeth had had to contend with war and inflation, she left James a smaller war and inflation, she left James a smaller debt than she had inheriteddebt than she had inherited.

James had the impression that England James had the impression that England was a rich country compared to was a rich country compared to Scotland.Scotland.

James had three households to support: James had three households to support: his own, that of his son Prince Henry and his own, that of his son Prince Henry and that of the Queen.that of the Queen.

He was also expected to reward his He was also expected to reward his servants.servants.

After the After the Gunpowder Plot Gunpowder Plot of of 16051605 Parliament granted James Parliament granted James three subsidies and 6 fifteenths - ₤400,000. This gave James the three subsidies and 6 fifteenths - ₤400,000. This gave James the false impression that Parliament would always grant him money.false impression that Parliament would always grant him money.

But James’ extravagant rule was a total contrast to Elizabeth’s But James’ extravagant rule was a total contrast to Elizabeth’s frugal reignfrugal reign

By By 16081608 he was ₤500,000 in debt so he sold ₤400,000 worth of he was ₤500,000 in debt so he sold ₤400,000 worth of land. James then drew up land. James then drew up the ‘Great Contract’ the ‘Great Contract’ which would give which would give the king a ‘supply’ of ₤600,000. The idea should have worked but the king a ‘supply’ of ₤600,000. The idea should have worked but the Commons was not fully supportive of the idea. the Commons was not fully supportive of the idea.

In In 16101610 the Commons did pledge ₤200,000 annually – but they the Commons did pledge ₤200,000 annually – but they then grew cold towards the idea of taxing the people for the then grew cold towards the idea of taxing the people for the king’s extravagant lifestyle. king’s extravagant lifestyle.

Again in 1614 James appealed to Again in 1614 James appealed to parliament for funds but instead parliament for funds but instead they attacked his impositions.they attacked his impositions.

James then dismissed this James then dismissed this “Addled Parliament”.“Addled Parliament”.

Parliament was not summoned again until 1621 Parliament was not summoned again until 1621 and voted James two subsidies.and voted James two subsidies.

James just could not pay his debts. In real James just could not pay his debts. In real terms even taking into account fivefold inflation terms even taking into account fivefold inflation he would have needed ₤600,000 per year to he would have needed ₤600,000 per year to match the income of Henry Vll.match the income of Henry Vll.

The Thirty Years War and inflation had made The Thirty Years War and inflation had made the further threat of hostilities possible and the further threat of hostilities possible and the thought of a war with Spain sent Prince the thought of a war with Spain sent Prince Charles and George Villiers off to Madrid in Charles and George Villiers off to Madrid in secret to arrange a marriage between secret to arrange a marriage between Charles and theCharles and the Infanta Infanta. Her dowry was . Her dowry was worth ₤500,000. This marriage alliance was worth ₤500,000. This marriage alliance was unpopular at home and it subsequently fell unpopular at home and it subsequently fell through.through.

In 1603 the Puritans had In 1603 the Puritans had been full of hope that there been full of hope that there would at last be changes to would at last be changes to Elizabeth’s Settlement Elizabeth’s Settlement because James was a because James was a Presbyterian.Presbyterian.

Puritans even presented him Puritans even presented him with a with a Millenary Petition Millenary Petition while he was on his way to while he was on his way to London.London.

They wanted rid of pluralism They wanted rid of pluralism and non-residency, no cross and non-residency, no cross signing during baptism and signing during baptism and no caps and surplicesno caps and surplices

In In 16041604 James called a meeting at Hampton James called a meeting at Hampton Court for the bishops and puritans to consider Court for the bishops and puritans to consider if further reforms were necessary.if further reforms were necessary.

The reforms suggested by the Puritans alarmed The reforms suggested by the Puritans alarmed the Bishops who feared that their new king may the Bishops who feared that their new king may waver.waver.

But although James believed that the Church But although James believed that the Church of England was not perfect he wanted to keep of England was not perfect he wanted to keep it.it.

James did not approve of suggestions James did not approve of suggestions that lesser clergy should have a say over that lesser clergy should have a say over Bishop’s disciplinary powers.Bishop’s disciplinary powers.In In January 1604 January 1604 they decided on minor they decided on minor changes to the changes to the Prayer Book Prayer Book along with along with some other small changes and a some other small changes and a resolution to improve a learned ministry.resolution to improve a learned ministry.James was proving to be conservative in James was proving to be conservative in ecclesiastical matters.ecclesiastical matters.Radical Puritans Radical Puritans were not happy.were not happy.Plans for a new bible was put in place for Plans for a new bible was put in place for 16111611 which would be the which would be the ‘Authorised ‘Authorised Version’Version’One month later One month later Archbishop Whitgift Archbishop Whitgift died. His successor was died. His successor was Richard Bancroft Richard Bancroft who guided the codifying of Church law. who guided the codifying of Church law. These Canons were published in These Canons were published in 16041604..

James had no real quarrel with James had no real quarrel with the Puritans.the Puritans.He appointed men of differing He appointed men of differing views to the Episcopal bench to views to the Episcopal bench to make the Church of England make the Church of England truly representative.truly representative.Most Puritans managed to work Most Puritans managed to work with the established church but with the established church but others sought to cut themselves others sought to cut themselves off and formed separate cells.off and formed separate cells.Formal separation from church Formal separation from church was a crime.was a crime.

The Roman Catholics had also been hopeful of change under a The Roman Catholics had also been hopeful of change under a new king.new king.““As for the Catholics I will neither persecute any that will be As for the Catholics I will neither persecute any that will be quiet...neither will I spare to advance any of them that will be of quiet...neither will I spare to advance any of them that will be of good service worthily deserve it.”good service worthily deserve it.”Because Because Queen Anne of Denmark Queen Anne of Denmark was a discreet Catholic – it gave was a discreet Catholic – it gave hope to other Catholics.hope to other Catholics.Non-Catholics were appalled and many suspected that James had Non-Catholics were appalled and many suspected that James had Catholic sympathies.Catholic sympathies.But many Catholics were upset when James reinstated the penal But many Catholics were upset when James reinstated the penal laws and concluded peace with Spain.laws and concluded peace with Spain.Catholics, it appeared were still to be an isolated minority. Catholics, it appeared were still to be an isolated minority. In In 16051605 after after Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament James demanded that all Catholics swear an oath of Parliament James demanded that all Catholics swear an oath of allegiance to distinguish between loyal and disloyal Catholics. allegiance to distinguish between loyal and disloyal Catholics. Most signed.Most signed.

In Elizabeth’s reign there had been less than twenty In Elizabeth’s reign there had been less than twenty JesuitsJesuits in England. This rose to over one hundred by in England. This rose to over one hundred by the end of James reign.the end of James reign.

After After 16231623 Jesuits had missionaries in twelve areas Jesuits had missionaries in twelve areas of England. of England.

Many Jesuits inveigled their way into gentry homes.Many Jesuits inveigled their way into gentry homes.

James still relied on ₤8,000 per year in James still relied on ₤8,000 per year in recusancyrecusancy finesfines

As King of Scotland James had come into conflict with As King of Scotland James had come into conflict with extreme Presbyterians who felt that the church should extreme Presbyterians who felt that the church should be separated from the state and that secular rulers had be separated from the state and that secular rulers had no authority there.no authority there.

The Catholics believed that rulers should be The Catholics believed that rulers should be subordinate to God and therefore the Pope.subordinate to God and therefore the Pope.

James asserted the James asserted the divine authority of kingsdivine authority of kings..

In James first parliament between 1604-10 the In James first parliament between 1604-10 the Commons often needlessly felt threatened by James Commons often needlessly felt threatened by James ‘divine’ attitude to rulers.‘divine’ attitude to rulers.

James hoped to unite the whole of Britain.James hoped to unite the whole of Britain.The House of Commons however, felt that English law The House of Commons however, felt that English law and the Church of England was and the Church of England was superiorsuperior and that the and that the Scots were backward and barbarous.Scots were backward and barbarous.James was cautious about upsetting the English and James was cautious about upsetting the English and asked very nicely in asked very nicely in 16071607 if he could be styled as the if he could be styled as the King of Great BritainKing of Great BritainJames was often conciliatory to problems in the James was often conciliatory to problems in the Commons.Commons.He pushed too hard for union but saw his mistake, He pushed too hard for union but saw his mistake, “ “ The error was my mistaking. I knew mine own end, but The error was my mistaking. I knew mine own end, but not others fears.”not others fears.”The Commons saw their duty as defending English The Commons saw their duty as defending English laws and constitution, they did not want anything laws and constitution, they did not want anything compromised with Scotland.compromised with Scotland.

When James dissolved his first parliament:When James dissolved his first parliament:Scotland and England were not united Scotland and England were not united He had been criticised over his favouritesHe had been criticised over his favouritesHe had been attacked over ImpositionsHe had been attacked over ImpositionsThere was no Great ContractThere was no Great ContractLack of money forced him to call the next Lack of money forced him to call the next parliament in four yearsparliament in four years..

To break the Howard family’s apparent hold on To break the Howard family’s apparent hold on James he was introduced to James he was introduced to George Villiers.George Villiers.

Villiers was 22 years old. He had a meteoric Villiers was 22 years old. He had a meteoric rise.rise.

In In 16161616 he was appointed to the Bedchamber - he was appointed to the Bedchamber - knighted-made Master of the Horse – given a knighted-made Master of the Horse – given a pension – made Viscount Villiers – given a pension – made Viscount Villiers – given a landed estate.landed estate.

In In 16171617 he was made the Earl of Buckingham. he was made the Earl of Buckingham.

InIn 1618 1618 he was made a Marquishe was made a Marquis

In In 16231623 he was made the he was made the Duke of Buckingham Duke of Buckingham

and he and he was regarded as the most important was regarded as the most important subject in the kingdom.subject in the kingdom.

James still sought a Spanish match for his son. His James still sought a Spanish match for his son. His daughter Elizabeth was married to the European daughter Elizabeth was married to the European Protestant leader and he wanted a match with the Protestant leader and he wanted a match with the leading European Catholic as well. This would help to leading European Catholic as well. This would help to preserve the peace of Christendom.preserve the peace of Christendom.Prince Charles and Prince Charles and BuckinghamBuckingham went to Spain in went to Spain in secret to arrange the marriage but they found that the secret to arrange the marriage but they found that the Spanish were not negotiating in good faith. The Spanish were not negotiating in good faith. The Spanish were waiting until they had re-established their Spanish were waiting until they had re-established their ascendancy in Europe.ascendancy in Europe.James then made approaches to France to block James then made approaches to France to block Spain.Spain.

There was always a threat of war in Europe.There was always a threat of war in Europe.

In the seven years between parliaments In the seven years between parliaments monopolies had worsened during the monopolies had worsened during the depressed times. depressed times.

BuckinghamBuckingham got the blame because James had got the blame because James had showered him with expensive gifts and showered him with expensive gifts and honours.honours.

To raise money knighthoods were sold which To raise money knighthoods were sold which cheapened their value.cheapened their value.

A new honour was invented – the A new honour was invented – the Baronet. Baronet. You You could buy a baronetcy in could buy a baronetcy in 16111611 for ₤1000 and 30 for ₤1000 and 30 soldiers for Ireland. Bysoldiers for Ireland. By 1622 1622 baronetcies were baronetcies were sold for ₤250 each. 80 peerages were sold in sold for ₤250 each. 80 peerages were sold in 16151615 which rose to 130 in which rose to 130 in 1628.1628.

James needed 30,000 men to defend the James needed 30,000 men to defend the Palatinate but it was so expensive that his Palatinate but it was so expensive that his pacifist tendencies came out. He was relieved pacifist tendencies came out. He was relieved not to have to go to war.not to have to go to war.

James died in March 1625. James died in March 1625.

Prince Charles was 24 years old.Prince Charles was 24 years old.