Over four hundred years ago Scotland and England had their own monarchs.

James became King James VI of Scotland aged 13 months on 24 July 1567, and was crowned at Stirling. He as the only child of Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Elizabeth I was queen of England at the time. On her death in 1603, James was offered the throne. James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Ireland. James was the first monarch to rule both countries and the first to call himself 'King of Great Britain'. However it was not until 1707 that an act of Parliament formally brought the two countries together.

Why was James the sixth in Scotland but not in England?

He was James VI of Scotland because there had been five other kings called James in Scotland. In England he was called James I, because he was the first king of England to be called James.

Interesting Fact

Our present Queen is known in England as Elizabeth II and in Scotland Elizabeth I, for the same reasons as above.

During James' reign

In 1605 the Gunpowder Plot was hatched: Guy Fawkes and his friends, Catholics, tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill James, but were captured before they could do so.

James authorised the translation of the King James Bible. He also had Sir Walter Raleigh executed

Further links

Timeline of Kings and Queens of England

Guy Fawkes