Hey, this is Heather from the Renaissance English History Podcast, and this is your Tudor Minute for May 7.
Today in 1603 James I arrived in London, nine days after the funeral of Elizabeth I. From 1601 onwards, as it became clear that James was going to be Elizabeth’s successor, many of her court kept up a secret correspondence with James. As the Queen was dying in 1603, her chief minister, Robert Cecil, sent James a draft proclamation of his accession in early March. Elizabeth died on 24 March, and James was proclaimed king in London later on that day.
He left Edinburgh on 5 April promising to return once every three years - a promise that he did not keep. He progressed slowly through England, amazed by the wealth of his new land. He commented that he felt as if he had traded a stony couch for a deep feather bed. He arrived in London today, May 7, and was crowned in July.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com where there is an episode on the life of James I.
Links:
James I episode
https://www.englandcast.com/2016/06/tudor-times-talks-about-james-i-of-england/
James I and witchcraft
James I and Witchcraft