James I

Was James I the wisest fool in Christendom? Or was he a disastrous king who brought civil war to his country? James I has traditionally been portrayed as a foolish and unpleasant man. The last two decades, however, have seen a rehabilitation by historians who appreciate his pursuit of sensible policies and his success in foreign policy and religion. In this work, the author looks at James' personality and political ability, the court, finance, parliament, and the legacies of Elizabeth I. The arguments made by the revisionists are examined as well as those in the 'postrevisionist' backlash. This is the first work in 20 years on the monarch, and is clearly written and accessible for students in European history.