The Stuarts 1603 - 1618: Failed Scottish Union

FAILED SCOTTISH UNION

1607

Why James Wanted A Union

• Political reasons
  • Wanted a permanent 'Union of the Crowns' under one monarch
    • Wanted there to be one Kingdom
    • Would make his authority strengthen
  • Wanted one Parliament with one law
    • Felt that together, they would be stonger through political unity
    • By joining them, would be possibility for reform and improvement on government
• Foreign policy reasons
  • Would boost his international status
    • Would have all the kingdoms under his rule
  • Self proclaimed 'Rex Pacificus' (peace loving king, wanted to end conflict in Europe)
    • Working towards this goal by bringing peace between two historically hostile nations
    • More security between Anglo-Scottish border
• Religous reasons
  • Wanted unity within Churches of England and Scotland
    • English church protestant, Scottish one presbyterian
    • He was head of both churches, would be easier to govern them if the same
  • 'Divine Right of Kings'
    • God's messenger on Earth, so should join the two because of royal descent from both
    • Felt that God wanted a…