James I became a successor of English and Irish throne in 1603 upon the death of Elizabeth I being an experienced monarch of Scotland for twenty-nine years. Even though by 1603 James was already an experienced monarch ruling Scotland for 29 years, what shall not be forgotten, it does not essentially mean that he was to become a outstanding monarch of multiple kingdoms of England and Ireland, what is firstly suggested in the very fact that he is known by two names (James VI and James I) and therefore should be assessed separately . It was the first time, when three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland were united and ruled by one monarch. These multiple kingdoms that James now rule where legally separate and sovereign with own governmental,
…show more content…
The time scope taken for this examination is 1603-1625 (reign of James I as a ruler of multiple kingdoms). However, it is impossible not to look back and forward, as he his inheritance – the conditions of the kingdoms with their problems and circumstances – as well as his legacy and an extent to which his reign contributed to the crisis faced by his son Charles I must be taken in account in order to make a fair judgement of James’s accomplishments. The largest part of the essay will address English problems as it was king’s residence, most prosperous of all kingdoms as well as kingdom with the most sophisticated governmental institutions. However, Scotland and Ireland would not be undermined, specially regarding the fact that James’s rule is seen as “pivotal period in Irish history” . The least will refer to ‘Engished’ Wales, where little changes occurred during the …show more content…
However, the unification of these different kingdoms and moreover creation of the common identity, perfect union “union of hearts and minds” that James dreamed of proved not possible to be instantly imposed due to the major divergent force in terms of English and Scottish parliamentary opposition, the attitude is clearly shown in a speech of Thomas Wentworth: “They acknowledge no crown, no king, but of Scotland: we acknowledge none, but of England” . Even though there were obvious benefits in the idea of the union such as improvement of national security through internal peace on the island and economic benefits from free trade, mutually hostile parliaments and xenophobic attitude blinded English and Scottish officials. Englishmen thought the perfect union is the one that acquired out of conquest like England and Wales because an authority of conquest, according to English parliament, is an only excuse to change the law without consent and uniformity of law is an essential aspect of the legal union . These and other arguments were presented to James on the parliamentary debated in England in 1604-1607, where his greatest expectation for the natural union of the kingdoms that he claimed are already united “in
The time scope taken for this examination is 1603-1625 (reign of James I as a ruler of multiple kingdoms). However, it is impossible not to look back and forward, as he his inheritance – the conditions of the kingdoms with their problems and circumstances – as well as his legacy and an extent to which his reign contributed to the crisis faced by his son Charles I must be taken in account in order to make a fair judgement of James’s accomplishments. The largest part of the essay will address English problems as it was king’s residence, most prosperous of all kingdoms as well as kingdom with the most sophisticated governmental institutions. However, Scotland and Ireland would not be undermined, specially regarding the fact that James’s rule is seen as “pivotal period in Irish history” . The least will refer to ‘Engished’ Wales, where little changes occurred during the …show more content…
However, the unification of these different kingdoms and moreover creation of the common identity, perfect union “union of hearts and minds” that James dreamed of proved not possible to be instantly imposed due to the major divergent force in terms of English and Scottish parliamentary opposition, the attitude is clearly shown in a speech of Thomas Wentworth: “They acknowledge no crown, no king, but of Scotland: we acknowledge none, but of England” . Even though there were obvious benefits in the idea of the union such as improvement of national security through internal peace on the island and economic benefits from free trade, mutually hostile parliaments and xenophobic attitude blinded English and Scottish officials. Englishmen thought the perfect union is the one that acquired out of conquest like England and Wales because an authority of conquest, according to English parliament, is an only excuse to change the law without consent and uniformity of law is an essential aspect of the legal union . These and other arguments were presented to James on the parliamentary debated in England in 1604-1607, where his greatest expectation for the natural union of the kingdoms that he claimed are already united “in