King James was born on 19 June 1566 in Edinburgh Castle. His mother was Mary, Queen of Scots and his father her second husband, Lord Darnley. Darnley was murdered in February 1567. In July his mother Mary was forced to step down from her throne in favor of her infant son. James's tutor, the historian and poet George Buchanan, was a positive influence and James was a capable scholar. In fact as a young king he was kept fairly isolated but was given a good education until the age of 14. He studied Greek, French, and Latin and made good use of a library of classical and religious writings. A succession of regents had ruled the country will he was being taught his education. They ruled until 1576, when James turned 15 and became sole ruler. He actually did not take full control 1581. In 1586, James and Elizabeth I became allies under the Treaty of Berwick ( at this time he was the only the ruler of Scotland). His new ally had executed his mother the following year. Surprisingly he did not fight back against Elizabeth for killing his mom. On March 1603, Elizabeth died and James became king of England and Ireland in a remarkably smooth transition of power. After 1603 he only visited Scotland once, in
King James was born on 19 June 1566 in Edinburgh Castle. His mother was Mary, Queen of Scots and his father her second husband, Lord Darnley. Darnley was murdered in February 1567. In July his mother Mary was forced to step down from her throne in favor of her infant son. James's tutor, the historian and poet George Buchanan, was a positive influence and James was a capable scholar. In fact as a young king he was kept fairly isolated but was given a good education until the age of 14. He studied Greek, French, and Latin and made good use of a library of classical and religious writings. A succession of regents had ruled the country will he was being taught his education. They ruled until 1576, when James turned 15 and became sole ruler. He actually did not take full control 1581. In 1586, James and Elizabeth I became allies under the Treaty of Berwick ( at this time he was the only the ruler of Scotland). His new ally had executed his mother the following year. Surprisingly he did not fight back against Elizabeth for killing his mom. On March 1603, Elizabeth died and James became king of England and Ireland in a remarkably smooth transition of power. After 1603 he only visited Scotland once, in