The Reign of James VI

by Julian Goodare, Michael Lynch (Editor), R. Grant (Contributor)

Examining one of the most enigmatic reigns in Scottish history, this account analyzes James VI as literary author, correspondent, husband, and universal king during his rule from 1567 to 1625. The study is drawn from three different disciplines and scholars to detail aspects of politics and government, including the royal court; noble factionalism; and the relationship of the government with various localities including the Highlands, the Borders, and the Southwest. The analysis also offers a series of revisions to accepted views of the reign.

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Julian Goodare is a Reader in History at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of State and Society in Early Modern Scotland (1999) and The Government of Scotland, 1560 - 1625 (2004). His edited books include The Reign of James VI (2000) (co-edited with Michael Lynch) and Sixteenth-Century Scotland: Essays in Honour of Michael Lynch (2008) (co-edited with Alasdair A. MacDonald).

Reviews

[Nick]

A fairly in-depth look into the personality and political life of James VI pre-English crown. What comes out is a sensitive, proud teenager, and somewhat calcified and embittered man, although perhaps that is nothing new.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been, perhaps is, standard reading fare at the university level. It is full of fine detail of the interactions between James, his nobles, and what became his government entities. It deals with the formation of bureaucracies, the ever changing shape of religion, and culture. I found this book especially interesting because even with in depth study about King James, it seemed always to be about his reign as an English king. We know that he ruled over a united kingdom, but I don't recall reading anything about him from a Scot's viewpoint after he left Scotland. I'm glad I read this because, for me, it filled in some gaps and explained how he developed from a child prince to a conscientious king (and then on to a king led astray.)