James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death. The kingdoms of England and Scotland were individual sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciary, and laws, though both were ruled by James in personal union.

He became King of Scotland at the age of thirteen months, succeeding his mother Mary, Queen of Scots, who had been compelled to abdicate in his favour. Four different regents governed during his minority, which ended officially in 1578, though he did not gain full control of his government until 1583. In 1603, he succeeded the last Tudor monarch of England and Ireland, Elizabeth I, who died without issue. He continued to reign in all three kingdoms for 22 years, often using the title "King of Great Britain and Ireland", until his death in 1625 at the age of 58. He based himself in England (the largest of the three realms) from 1603, only returning to Scotland once in 1617. His stated aim of having one parliament for both countries would not be realised until the Act of Union in 1707. In his reign, the Plantation of Ulster and British colonization of the Americas began.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... of_England View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Royalty • Statesmen • Gemini • Great Britain • Jamestown • June 19 • Renaissance • Rulers • Scotland • Stuart • Icons • People