Review -The Wisest Fool by Steven Veerapen
The Lavish Life of James VI and 1
Steven Veerapen is an esteemed Scottish academic and fiction writer drawing on the late 16th century. His biography of Anna of Denmark, wife to James VI/1 was published in 2022, and Mr Veerapen has also written a non fiction book on Mary Queen of Scots-'Blood Feud-Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Moray' amongst other works.
Over half the book deals with James's upbringing in Scotland and his kingship there. The focus on Scottish history is well done. The author works hard to try and explain the complex rivalries between the factions of Scottish nobility that could easily break out into armed fighting. The author makes an important distinction is made between the English Reformation largely being imposed from above whilst broadly speaking the Scottish Reformation was instigated by popular acclaim,which helps to explain the precarious position a Scottish monarch could be placed in. It was helpful to learn of how far reaching the English crown's meddling in Scottish affairs had reached during the 16th century, and Spain also made such attempts.
James's, born in 1566, and ascended the throne of Scotland aged one,after his mother Mary was deposed. The harshness of his upbringing and education are clearly depicted. The author manages to disentangle the Gowrie Plot, supposedly an assassination attempt on James's life in 1600, Possibly the extent of James's sadism during the Witch hunts of 1591 is skipped over, but Mr Veerapen highlights how James could be more sceptical about the existence of witchcraft but adopted a much more confrontational stance if he or his family appeared to be threatened by such malpractice. Overall one of the book's strength is that whilst source material and analysis are dealt with skillfully, the main course of the biography keeps on running. The reader can feel guided through the history without losing interest.
Mr Veerapen has no qualm about discussing James's bisexuality, which emerged when he was 13 with his crush on his cousin Esme who appeared in Scotland in 1581. This side of his nature generated potential problems when a favourite such as Robert Carr was elevated in status and wealth in the 1610's, then or course Duke of Buckingham at the end of his life. And James's ability to consume large quantities of food and wine, and passion for hunting are gone into. I never knew that he had a pet leopard he trained to go hare hunting with him.
James's trip to Denmark and Norway in atrocious weather to bringing Princess Anna-whom he married by proxy-over to Scotland in 1589 shows that James could be enterprising and bold . Moreover, whilst in the region, he gave a three hour lecture in Latin to Danish scholars in Copenhagen. Sides to James which are not always portrayed in such media as recent TV dramas. James's genuine support,when ascending the English throne, for ending the Anglo-Spanish war, is emphasised. : Unlike England, Scotland had not been at war with Spain, so made pragmatic sense. Also acknowledged is James's reluctance for his realms to be involved in the Thirty Years War even though his daughter Elizabeth and her Frederick were driven out of Prague in 1620, after ruling Bohemia for a year.
Another plus point in the book was being reminded of how cunning James could be. It took a great deal of political manoeuvring on James's part to ensure that he secured the succession of the English throne without having to fight a battle in 1603. And James's presenting Anna as a Catholic sympathiser or even as a private convert to the Church of Rome, was a clever move- especially as this author points out that there was no real evidence that Anna had done so. It would be possible to go one step further and emphasise that whilst after the Gunpowder Treason was discovered the conspirators were harshly dealt with, yet the aftermath did not descend into vicious religious sectarianism.
Overall the biography is readable and thought provoking, It is fair to say that there is little about the Gunpowder Treason and James's plantation settlement policy in the north of Ireland and its far reaching consequences is not covered. There is not a great deal about the Court culture but then this aspect of James's reign is dealt with in the author's biography of Queen Anna. But overall this biography of James VI/I is highly recommended.
The Wisest Fool-The Lavish Life of James VI/I and I is published by 'Birlinn Limited', Edinburgh as a hardback book and kindle.
Links
'Anna of Denmark Queen In Two Kingdoms' Review of Steven Veerapen's biography
Steven Veerapen Author website
Other blogs from Bully.
Bleak Chesney Wold 19th century 'dark' history
World War 2 poetry Not been updated for a while but should be returning.
Thank you to all visitors to this blog for their interest. Always great to see the range of countries that are listed. As always any errors and schoolboy howlers are for me to own, and not the responsibility of any other writer referred to.
Michael Bully
Brighton, England,
22nd October 2023.
Mr Bleak 5@ShipBurnt
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Michael@BleakChesneyWold
Mr Bleak (@MrBleak5 )
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