KingJames4

Thompson Long English8-4 4/5/10 Who is King James?  King James was the first king to unite Scotland and England. He was intellectual, a writer, a holy man, and a politician. He greatly shaped his world and others. In these pages I will talk about King James and how he affected religion, politics, and the arts. According to www.luminarium.org : Anthology of English Literature, King James illustrious life began1566. He was born to Mary Queen of Scotts and Henry Lord Darnley. When James was just a year of age his father was killed by a religious organization. James’s mother was a terrible ruler and in 1567 she was forced out of Scotland by the Scottish lords for the involvement in her husband’s death. She fled to England and was arrested and later put to death for a plot for attempting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth her cousin. In 1567 James was sent to live and later be taught by some of the most notable poets, writers and philosophers of his time. It was during this time that he developed a strong passion for writing and the arts. At the age of twelve James became King of Scotland succeeding his mother. In 1603 he married Anne of Denmark. On March 24th 1603 he became King of England proceeding Queen Elizabeth’s death. At this time he became the first Ruler to unite the thrown of England and Scotland.

The Court of King's Bench was the highest court of law in England during the Middle Age. It was one of the two King's courts residing in Westminster Hall. It was a place where citizens could bring up issues against the king. This is according to www.luminarium.org/kingsbench.htm. King James gained political support in these courts by skillfully putting supporters of his in influential roles in these courts.

Shakespeare and King James shared a relationship that began in 1599. King James and Shakespeare became acquaintances when the lord Chamberlains men took a nine month trip to Scotland and performed, often in King James’s Scottish court. King James already very passionate for the arts greatly enjoyed Shakespeare and his company and would facilitate them often in later years to come. There is some controversy over whether or not Shakespeare was hired to write Psalm 43 in the King James Bible. During Shakespeare’s time in Scotland he worked very hard too create a strong relationship with him, it paid of. I found this information at www.shakespearonline.com/biography.com

King James supported education; his reign was one of prosperity and growth. He created some of the fist Bibles to be converted into English. He stands as the most well educated and cultured men to sit on the throne of Great Britain. He left behind an era of beginnings and questions to the world.