James' Personality - AQA STUART BRITAIN Flashcards
What are some causes for James’ vulnerability?
James had large responsibility, crowned King of Scotland at 13 months old.
James experienced psychological shock from events such as his grandfather being mortally wounded.
Under the care of the Countess of Mar, his mental health was neglected despite being cared for well. He was lonely and received tutoring by age 3.
What writing did James produce in his time?
Whose opinions about monarch responsibility did he oppose?
What were his relations with tutor Buchanan like?
James was a learned protestant who wrote his own books and pamphlets including Basilikon Doron, (1599).
James opposed John Knox’s opinion, alongside that of his tutor Buchanan, that kings were accountable and could be deposed or even killed for being ungodly in behaviour.
Buchanan resented Mary, finding her responsible for Darnley’s death, and instilled this in James.
In 1586-7, James heard news that Mary was guilty for conspiring to kill Elizabeth, and he allegedly whispered, ‘Now I am King,’ when she received the axe.
Describe James’ relationship with Esme Stuart briefly.
In 1579 Esme Stuart, a French kinsman and his cousin, offered affection and James made him Earl and then Duke of Lennox.
Lennox was accused of provoking James and abusing his age, and James’ Favourite was driven from the realm.
How did James rule Scotland? What did he achieve and where did he fail?
James gained full authority as King by 17 and was able to make improvements, compelling those in borderlands to stop throat slitting and cattle rustling.
James learned to gain help from nobility.
James achieved relative law and order and prosperity in Scotland.
In Scotland James did however develop a deficit from spending and suffered inflation.
What was James’ relationship with the General Assembly like?
The General Assembly developed a two kingdoms theory where church functioned free of state interference.
1584 Black Acts expressed royal power and authority over the spiritual and temporal.
James had strained relations with the General Assembly while in Scotland as a consequence of the Reformation.
Describe religious divides across Britain.
Scottish Highlands: Catholic influence was strong among Highland clans.
Ulster - Many Scottish and English settlers in Ireland who were Presbyterian.
Anglican Irish Church was based in Dublin.
Ireland had an Irish majority of Old settlers and native Irish who remained Catholic.
In Scottish lowlands mainly Presbyterian members of Scottish Kirk lived.
In England and Wales all inhabitants viewed as members of the Anglican Church which taught Calvinist doctrine and Catholic ceremonies. Some Catholics didn’t attend Church and were fined, worshipping in secret as Catholic.
