There is one clear error on the front of this book. The xenophobic English refer to 'James I' even though the author himself states clearly he is called 'James the VI & Ist.' This is the type of English contempt that James himself suffered from the English parliamentarians and their nobles.
That said the author does a reasonable job with this book.
While stating he never liked Jams he looked into him and found much to admire, and there certainly is much. James remains a mixed up character. His upbringing was cruel though he became well red, speaking Latin, French and much else by the time he was 5 or 6. Too many beatings from a tutor who constantly criticised his mother, Mary,Queen of Scots, had run away not long after he was born in Edinburgh Castle. This meant he was pronounced King before he was weaned. The nobles took care of him, mostly however those that did tended to die, either in war or mysteriously. Being Regal was a dangerous occupation in the 1500's.
Being a short book we hurry through his squabbles with the Scots Kirk, his tendency towards Bishops never went down well, his move to London where he was welcomed and greeted by all. His early success in ending war with Spain and in Ireland although he did tend to find it easy to spend money he did not possess.
His marriage to Ann of Denmark was not a great one, seven children arrived somehow yet most died before they were two. years of age. Henry, who was destined to be King died aged 18, Elizabeth and Charles survived though Charles did lose his head of course. While James could negotiate and be patient Charles could not. James wrote many academic works including justifications for the 'Divine Right of Kings.' How much he believed in in practice is debatable but certainly Charles fell for it and it cost him.
James wrote much in the way of theological works yet managed to spend his days hunting, sharing the coarsest of jokes and drinking far too much for a 'man of the cloth.' Indeed most of his life was spent hunting, alongside a few chosen friends, mostly male and their behaviour was far from pure. His youth may have been responsible but his bible reading, good though this was, failed him here.
This continued throughout his life.
His hunting may have been to keep him away from his ministers, however the work followed him wherever he was hunting and his duty was observed. Possibly the peace of the country was preferable to the business of London, certainly less people to bother him and Parliament was a trial to him, as indeed it is to anyone who wishes to rule by themselves.
While welcomed at first James soon fund much resentment from Englishmen that Scots, 'foreigners,' were running their Parliament. Such xenophobic emotions have never left the 'English' Palace of Westminster. Proof, as if it were required, that Scotland must be independent from this grasping southern kingdom.
This is an ideal book to get a grasp of King James VI & I. Other books will be of more depth and a differing impression possibly received but this is a good starting point.
Whether he died grasping his last boyfriend is however is debatable...
Running behind time today as a visitor arrived before I was half awake, it was just after nine after all.
Then I had the household stuff to do while also discovering where the mouse had come from last night. The brute had found a weak point and pushed his way through the wire. I wonder if he has been reading about 'Colditz?' Anyway, another bag of wire has gone in, more spaces blocked up and nothing edible will be left out tonight.
It would certainly be better if I had a cat. However such a place as this, plus a main road outside my door, does not make that a sensible idea. No nearby cats to borrow either. I wonder if 'catnip' would put him off? Either way I noticed small square chunks of poison in the shop and may well be baiting him with those soon!
