The Early Life of James VI

"A very fine, original study of the first part (1567–1585) of the reign of King James VI that fills what has been a gaping hole in the scholarship on early modern Scotland. It is the first part of a radical new study that will transform the understanding of James’ reign before the union of the crowns in 1603." ~Professor Jane Dawson, University of Edinburgh

"This book is the only extensive and scholarly account of the first decades of James VI’s life and of the politics of his emergence from minority to adult monarch. Drawing upon wideranging sources – including under-exploited documents – it presents an original, detailed, readable and compelling interpretation of its subject... This will be the key reference work on this period for scholars of Jacobean kingship and politics for many years to come." ~Dr Alexander Courtney, Associate Fellow Royal Historical Society

"An intimate and detailed history of young James, the political contexts in which he was brought up, and his character, objectives and practices. No one has written yet about James in such intimate and sustained terms." ~Dr Anna Groundwater, National Museums Scotland

"I am greatly looking forward to Professor Steven Reid's The Early Life of James VI." ~Allan Massie, The Scotsman

Much has been written about James in maturity, but this new book deals with his formative years in Scotland… What a story!' ~Jackie Bird, National Trust for Scotland

Steven Reid’s rich and scholarly study of King James VI’s early years gives us a remarkable account of this most turbulent era in Scotland’s history' ~The Saltire Society

A detailed and engaging narrative... Reid challenges previous historiography and provides a richly detailed examination of those around the young James, their political manoeuvrings, and James’s ascendancy towards his adult kingship.' ~Dr Amy Saunders, Royal Studies Journal

Expertly weaves the narrative together, incorporating a wide range of primary sources with historiographical discussions embedded throughout... Reid challenges previous historiography and provides a richly detailed examination of those around the young James, their political manoeuvrings, and James’s ascendancy towards his adult kingship' ~Royal Studies Journal