try, ruled in the borders and islands by local chiefs and warlords, and with painful memories of wars with England. The Reformation was still in process, with continuing Roman Catholic opposition, and the Kirk itself was divided over structure and doctrine. As James grew up and took on the responsibilities of ruling Scotland, he gradually managed to bring a greater degree of order to the main areas under his authority. By 1589, he was secure enough to leave Scotland temporarily to sail to Denmark for his bride, Queen Anne.revival - as Scotland settled down, a thriving group of poets, translators and dramatists gathered around the royal court. James, who loved writing poetry, was at the centre of this cultural revival. By 1599, he was able to write a book on how to be a successful king, which he addressed to his son, Prince Henry. It looked as though there were good prospects for Scotland becoming a viable nation with a line of cultured kings.English heir - but to the south, England - larger, richer, and with a longer tradition of strong central government - had a queen with no children. Queen Elizabeth had executed James «s mother Mary Queen of Scots, one possible successor, and now had no-one to follow her. A king or queen was seen as an essential guarantee of continuity and authority. If England could not produce a monarch, one would have to be imported.becomes king. On 24 March 1603, Queen Elizabeth of England died. She had always refused to discuss the succession with her court, but most people knew that King James VI of Scotland was the only suitable candidate. Although he was from a country with which England had fought many wars, he was a Protestant, had already been a successful king, and had healthy children to succeed him. Lengthy family trees were compiled to show how James descended from the English houses of York and Lancaster as well as the Scottish Stuarts, and he was proclaimed King James I of England.from London - the news was quick to travel north, and the English aristocracy hurried to acclaim their new master. James, who had always hoped to hold the English throne, packed his bags. London was the only place for the new ruler of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. (Ireland had been under the English crown to varying degrees since the 12th century, and Wales had been politically united with England in 1536.) James told the disconsolate citizens of Edinburgh that he would return frequently, but it must have been obvious that Scotland was going to lose out. The court, including the leading Scottish poets, moved south. James travelled for the first time across the border and down through England, dispensing honours and money along the way to win the admiration of his new subjects.sovereign - the English were nervous about the arrival of Scots seeking positions in London, and about James » s plans for their country, but there was relief that they had a king again. James «s works were republished in England to advertise him to those who could not see him in person. Here was one of the most learned kings ever, who wrote theology and politics, gave eloquent speeches, and knew many languages. Would it, though, be enough to help him be the first ruler of the whole British Isles? the Crowns. James VI and I started his English reign with all kinds of hopes and ambitions. He saw himself as a scholar-king like Solomon, or at the head of a new civilisation like an early Roman emperor, and leading a unit...
