The life and times of King James I

What is the course about?

James was already king of Scotland when he succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603. In fact he had been a king virtually his
whole life when he became the first monarch of Great Britain.

Tutor bio: William’s first degree at Keele was in History and Geography with subsidiary Greek Studies and Music.
His MA was in Historical Geography at Birkbeck and PhD in Anglo-Saxon History at King’s College, London. After
teaching History he was a Civil Servant in the Departments of Transport and Education but continued teaching part-
time at Greenwich College, Bexley AEC, Morley and the City Lit, both History and the History of Music. He has
been an official eyeOpener guide at the British Museum since the programme’s inception in 1994, giving over 700
talks throughout the museum. He also lectures on Cruise Ships, conducts tours for various charities and maintains
his own website www.williamsterling.co.uk.

What will we cover?

George II’s life looked at more or less chronologically. In each session his personal life and family will be examined
as well as the role he played as Prince of Wales and King as well as looking at the background to his “times”, the
social and cultural state of the nation. Themes that will come out include the changes in politics with the
development of the post of Prime Minister under Robert Walpole and his successors, foreign affairs such as the
wars against France and the famous Jacobite Rebellion in 1745 under Bonnie Prince Charlie, cultural developments
especially in music and the role of the court in the works of Handel (who wrote much of his best loved music for the
royal family) and his contemporaries, the art of Hogarth, Britain’s first great native painter of everyday life who
nevertheless ended up by being given a royal appointment, and the early development of the British Empire in
Canada and India under great leaders like Wolfe and Clive.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

James’s life starting with the troubled relationship between his parents, Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley, his
upbringing and the quarrels of his regents. His rule over Scotland was generally successful and his marriage to
Anne of Denmark unusually affectionate. His succession to the English crown was achieved smoothly despite
some opposition and his experience meant he felt comfortable to take on the rule of the larger and more
prosperous country. His struggles to come to terms with Parliament laid the foundations for the Civil war in his
son’s reign but otherwise he ruled well. His court was famous for music and entertainments and he encouraged
visits from artists and musicians from abroad as well as patronising British creative talent including Shakespeare.
He commissioned Inigo Jones to build the Queen’s House for his wife although she died before it was completed.
He was obsessed with his campaigns against witchcraft and tobacco and wrote erudite works on these and other
subjects. His foreign policy hinged around trying to keep the peace with both Catholic and Protestant powers and
tried to arrange marriages with his children to cultivate good relationships, not always and easy task and his trials
with his son led to his last illness and death.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an `introductory` course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good
grasp of English to keep up with the course. You will gain more from the course, in terms of enjoyment and
learning, if you are able and willing to do some supplementary reading. As with most of our history and current
affairs courses, intellectual curiosity and an open mind are more important than specific levels of skills.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will consist of illustrated lecture, discussions, and questions.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No other costs are involved. You might want to bring pen and paper for any voluntary note-taking.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

HBH95 Life and times of Charles 1.