He was the man who wore the Crown of two countries but his birth left many wondering if he would survive to succeed his mother. He was James VI of Scotland and James I of England and while his reign began the process of unifying two kingdoms, his debut was dramatic and dangerous.

A queen forced to cling to her Crown

James was the only child of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. His parents’ marriage was shrouded in drama. Mary’s cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, was entirely against the union as she had planned to choose Mary’s second husband, but the pair married anyway. The couple argued constantly, and many historians believe that Darnley was unfaithful to the Scottish Queen. 

Mary, Queen of Scots conceived sometime in the autumn of 1566; she went into labour in the middle of June. She then chose to move to Edinburgh Castle to give birth, as the castle was the most secure option. Her child would be heir to the Crown of Scotland.

In March 1566, a group of men (including her husband) murdered her private secretary in front of her. The pregnant Mary was terrified as she had a gun pointed at her stomach while the murder was carried out. Following the violent event, the castle was a safer choice than the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

The birth of a king in a dark hidden room

Mary gave birth in a small and dark chamber, a small room connected to her bedroom. The fireplace would have left the room incredibly warm- during this period, that was considered optimal for the birthing process.

It was a difficult birth, though, and courtiers were worried about both mother and child. However, James Charles was born on 19 June 1566 and would take the Crown in July 1567 after his mother’s abdication. 

In 1603, he succeeded Elizabeth I as ruler of England after the queen chose him to follow her.