James I
What do you already know about James I?
James was born at Edinburgh Castle on the 19th June 1566. He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was the great, great grandson of Henry VIII. He became the King of Scotland when he was just 13 months old when his mother was forced to abdicate the throne! In Scotland he was called James VI.
James then also became the King of England when Elizabeth I died in 1603 and left no heirs to the throne. He was distantly related to Elizabeth and that is why he became king. In England he was called James I.
James was the first to rule the countries together and after him the countries always had joint kings and queens. After the joint royal ruling of England and Scotland a new flag was created, which was the beginnings of the union flag we have today. It was called the British flag and was created by merging the English flag, which is the St George’s Cross and the Scottish flag, which was the St Andrew’s Cross into one flag.
James was a Christian and worshiped in the Church of England. At the time the bible couldn’t be read by everyone as it was in different languages that most people living in England couldn’t understand.
King James I decided there should be an English version of the bible and the King James version of the bible was created. Every church in England had one of these bibles and even today the King James version of the bible is still available and read by some Christians.
James was not catholic and the way he was ruling the country and the rules he created it made some Catholics living in England at the time very unhappy.
Did you know...
The plotters, including Guy Fawkes, tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament using gunpowder but they were caught and their plan did not work. To spread the news the king was safe many people up and down the country lit bonfires.
Today we remember the gunpowder plot every year on the 5th November enjoying Bonfire Night, lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks full of gunpowder.
A portrait of James I painted in 1605.
A portrait of James I painted in 1621.
James survived the plot and carried on reigning the country. It was a mainly peaceful reign after the plot.
The only real issue he had was a battle with Parliament. James believed he should be totally in charge, he was the King after all. He did not appreciate Parliament getting involved with his decision making, especially when it came down to spending money! Whenever Parliament disagreed with him he would just dissolve it and do what he wanted!
He was King of England for 22 years, until his death on the 27th March 1625. When he died his son Charles I became king.
What we've learnt...
James was the first King of both England and Scotland.
James was called James VI in Scotland and James I in England.
James was the King that Guy Fawkes and the other plotters tried to kill in the Gunpowder Plot.
James had a new version of the bible created called the King James version. Some Christians still use it today.
Test your knowledge...
James I Quiz
If you click the correct answer the box will turn green. If it’s the wrong answer it will turn red and then show you what the correct answer was.
#1. How old was James when he became King of Scotland?
#2. What year was the Gunpowder Plot?
#3. What is the bible created during his reign called?
#4. When did James become King of England?
#5. Did James I always agree with Parliament?
Results
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