The Stuart Kings in England: the Accession of James I- Divine Right of Kingship

 The Stuart Kings in England: the Accession of James I- Divine Right of Kingship

The Stuart dynasty played a pivotal role in shaping British history, a period marked by both progress and significant upheaval.

The End of the Tudor Line

Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, died in 1603 without an heir. This led to a succession crisis, as the closest relative was James VI of Scotland. James was the great-great-grandson of Henry VII, through his mother Mary, Queen of Scots. 

After the death of Elizabeth I on March 24, 1603, James VI of Scotland was proclaimed James I of England. His accession was carefully planned and orchestrated by key political figures who ensured a smooth and uncontested succession. Sir William Cecil  was Elizabeth I’s closest and most trusted advisor, serving as her chief minister and Lord Treasurer. Though he died before James’s accession, his policies and influence shaped events leading to the Stuart succession, He supported James VI’s claim early on, advising Elizabeth to avoid conflicts over succession.

Sir Robert Cecil 

Sir Robert Cecil, son of Sir William Cecil, played the decisive role in bringing James to the throne. As Secretary of State under Elizabeth, Robert Cecil managed the covert negotiations with James VI of Scotland for several years before Elizabeth’s death. He secretly corresponded with James, assuring him of support from England’s political elite. His diplomatic skills ensured a peaceful transition without civil strife.
The Privy Council, England’s governing body under the monarchy, acted quickly to proclaim James as king upon Elizabeth’s death. This ensured there was no dispute or rival claim to the throne.

The Stuart Dynasty 

The Stuart dynasty ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1603 to 1714, with a brief interruption during the Commonwealth period (1649–1660). The Stuarts faced significant challenges, including struggles over royal authority, religious conflicts, and civil war.

The Stuarts - an Overview
James I (1603-1625):
Believed in the Divine Right of Kings, which led to conflicts with Parliament. | Faced religious tensions, including the Gunpowder Plot. | Oversaw the King James Version of the Bible.   
Charles I (1625-1649):
Continued his father's belief in absolute monarchy, further straining relations with Parliament. | His attempts to rule without Parliament led to the English Civil War.| Was tried and executed in 1649.
The Interregnum (1649-1660):
Following Charles I's execution, England became a republic known as the Commonwealth. | Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector, effectively ruling the country.
Charles II (1660-1685):
The monarchy was restored in 1660. | Known as the Restoration period. | His reign saw the emergence of political parties, the Whigs and Tories.
James II (1685-1688):
A Catholic, his attempts to promote religious tolerance for Catholics angered Protestant Parliament.His policies and the birth of his Catholic son led to the Glorious Revolution.
William III and Mary II (1689-1702/1689-1694):
Invited by Parliament to take the throne, James II was forced to flee. |The Glorious Revolution established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. | Mary II died in 1694, William III ruled until 1702.
Anne (1702-1714):
The last Stuart monarch. | The Act of Union in 1707 formally united England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Inauguration of the Stuart Dynasty: Accession of James I (1603–1625)

The Stuart period began in 1603 when James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne as James I after the death of Elizabeth I. His accession united the crowns of England and Scotland under one monarch, a union known as the Union of the Crowns, though the two countries remained separate states with distinct laws and parliaments.
James I's reign marked the beginning of tensions between the monarchy and Parliament. His belief in the Divine Right of Kings led to frequent disputes, particularly over taxation and governance. His rule also saw the Gunpowder Plot (1605) and the commissioning of the King James Bible (1611).

The Divine Right of Kingship

The Divine Right of Kings was a political and religious doctrine stating that monarchs derived their authority directly from God, rather than from the people or any earthly institution. This belief had several key aspects:

  1. God's Chosen Ruler – Kings were believed to be appointed by God and thus had absolute authority over their subjects.
  2. No Earthly Accountability – Since the king’s power came from God, he was not accountable to Parliament or the people.
  3. Rebellion as a Sin – Opposing the king was seen as opposing God’s will.
  4. Popularized by James I – James I was a firm advocate of the Divine Right and wrote extensively on it, particularly in his work The True Law of Free Monarchies (1598).
Impact of the Divine Right Belief
  • It led to conflicts with Parliament, especially under James I and Charles I.
  • It played a major role in the causes of the English Civil War.
  • The belief was ultimately challenged and rejected during the Glorious Revolution (1688), paving the way for a constitutional monarchy where the king’s power was limited by Parliament.
Prepared by
Jacob Eapen Kunnath
Dept. of English, CMS College Kottayam (Autonomous)

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