by Emily Ross
Hey history lovers! Welcome to our "Why Wars Happened," weekly history blog where we dive deep into the causes behind historical conflicts to understand what led to war in history.
Today, we’re diving deep into the life of a king who had one heck of a journey: King James I. Buckle up, because this story is filled with murder, imprisonment, and royal drama that might just leave you wondering if history provided the blueprint for your favorite thriller series.
Ok. Now the goods.
We'll cover the state of England that led people to colonize, and the circumstances that made the King of England fully support it.
Contents
The Hellscape Called England
First, let’s set the stage. Where did we leave off in our last adventure? Ah yes, England was a total mess. Crime, poverty, overpopulation—you name it, they had it. Now, we zoom in on King James I, who was desperate for the success of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in the Americas. But why? What made this king, born quite far from England, so invested in American colonies?
Royal Blood Runs Thick
James I, born in Scotland in 1566, did not have an easy start. His lineage? Well, he was packed with royal blood—both Scottish and English. Henry VIII’s sister was a part of his heritage, making him a relative of Queen Elizabeth. This royal mix added even more complexity to his already tangled life.
A Tragic Childhood
His childhood was straight out of a horror movie. His father was murdered when James was just 8 months old. His mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, was despised and eventually imprisoned by Scottish nobles. Rumors of her involvement in her husband’s murder only made things worse. She was eventually forced to relinquish her throne to baby James, who never saw her again after she fled to England and was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth. Spoiler alert: Mary’s end was gruesomely tragic, involving a botched execution that’s too haunting to forget.
The Role of Guardians
James’ guardians were no less mired in danger. Four people ruled Scotland in his place until he was old enough to take the throne himself, but they didn’t fare too well. The first was assassinated via gun, marking the first such assassination in history. The second was his grandfather, who also met a violent end. The third seemed to be poisoned, and the fourth ruled until he was charged with James’ father's murder and was beheaded.
James Takes the Throne
At 15, James took the throne of Scotland. He wasn’t just a king; he was an intellectual powerhouse, authoring works like "The True Law of Free Monarchies" that laid out his philosophy on kingship, stressing that rulers were chosen by God and thus supreme over their subjects. His vision for a king’s absolute power would soon create friction with Parliament when he ascended to the English throne.
The Intersection of Thrones
After peace arrangements with Queen Elizabeth and surviving multiple assassination attempts, James inherited the English throne in 1603, uniting Scotland and England. But the merge was complicated; not everyone was thrilled. The religious differences and historical animosities made the union volatile, and attempts on his life were a constant threat.
Royal Debt
James not only inherited a troubled kingdom but also a staggering debt. Queen Elizabeth had left behind a war debt from her conflict with Ireland, and James’ personal expenses added to the mess, totaling an eye-watering 1 million pounds—equivalent to hundreds of millions today. Parliament’s proposed reforms were met with resistance from James, who eventually dissolved Parliament for a decade, further complicating governance.
Colonies to the Rescue
With England’s dire need for funds, settlements like Jamestown became crucial. Taxes and fees from American colonies were a lifeline, meant to bypass Parliament and directly enrich the crown's coffers. But there was another reason for this colonial fervor: geopolitics. European rivals like Spain, France, and the Netherlands were aggressively expanding their empires, and James didn’t want England to be left behind.
The Importance of Jamestown
Jamestown wasn’t just a colony; it was a lifeline for England’s future. The settlers' survival was not merely a matter of policy but a desperate gamble for England’s prosperity. King James’s desperate gamble in the New World would set the stage for future conflicts and alliances that shaped history.
That's it for today's historical deep dive. Join us next week as we uncover the political drama and violence that erupted in the Virginia colony's early government.
See you next time on Why Wars Happened!
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