James VI of Scotland and James I of England
 |
After another spell of regency, James proclaimed himself king in 1583 and found himself to be the head of a country divided between Catholics and Protestants. He aspired to be an impartial king, thus incurring the animosity of both factions. A Protestant himself in name, if not belief, James had no wish to antagonize his Protestant cousin Elizabeth of England and spoil his chances of inheriting her throne. He concluded an alliance with England and made no more than a formal protest when Elizabeth agreed to the execution of his mother in 1587. |
The new, Protestant religion in Scotland now presented problems. It was divided between the extreme Presbyterians, who wanted a religion of the purest simplicity with equality of ministers and no bishops or elaborate ritual, and James' English form of Protestantism, with bishops appointed by the crown and a formal liturgy. He tried to impose his will on the Kirk, but failed. Presbyterians grew more and more averse to Episcopacy and their religion became less and less formal, with extempore prayers replacing those in the prayer book.
In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died, appointing James as her heir. Thus, he became James VI of Scotland and I of England. He hurried to London and only returned to Scotland once, preferring the pomp and magnificence of the English court, and the ritual of the Church of England. But he still tried to foist Episcopacy on his northern subjects and to reinstate formal worship. He died in 1625 and his son, Charles 1, succeeded him.
Back...
|
|
|
|
 |
