James VI and I (Profiles in Power)

Traditional views of James VI and I have been unfavorable, both as man and monarch, but modern research has exposed the bias in many of the most influential contemporary sources for the reign. This dispassionate assessment, while acknowledging James's limitations, is the first to use this new work to bring out his many positive achievements and the result is judicious, authoritative and very readable, throwing fresh light on the major themes of British history in the early 17th century, including religion, royal relations with political institutions and the divine right of kings.