Page:History of the Kings and Queens of England.pdf/15



JAMES I. of England, and VI. of Scotland, was the son of Henry Stuart, and the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots. He was born June 19, 1566, and ascended the throne of England in 1603, pursuant to the will of Queen Elizabeth. He exhibited repeated instances of prejudice, folly, ridiculous vanity, and littleness of soul; but his reign, though ignoble to himself, was happy to his people, who enjoyed the blessing of peace, and were enriched by commerce. He died March 27, 1625, in the 59th year of his age, and 23d of his reign over Great Britain.

In this reign, England and Scotland were united by the name of Great Britain ; and the present translation of the Bible finished.

CHARLES I. was born at Dunfermline, in Scotland, on the 19th of November, 1600, and succeeded his father in 1625. He was merciful, modest, chaste, brave, and temperate. Unfortunately, he suffered himself to be guided by his counsellors, and paid too much deference to the advice of his consort, who was superstitiously attached to the errors of popery, and who involved him in a sad series of calamities. After & civil war had been carried on for some time between this prince and his parliament, he was brought to trial, and sentence of death passed upon him: he was beheaded at Whitehall, on the 30th of January, 1649, in the 49th year of his age, and the 24th of his reign.