ABSTRACT
Readers of Macaulay's History must often have wondered whether James was as black as he is painted there. James is not given a full-length portrait. When he is first mentioned his character is summed up in two lines: ‘Though a libertine, James was diligent, methodical, and fond of authority and business. His understanding was singularly slow and narrow, and his temper obstinate, harsh, and unforgiving.’ 1 After this preliminary estimate Macaulay dwells at length, first on one feature of James's character and then on another, as opportunity offers, leaving the reader to collect from these partial glimpses and from the acts recorded his own estimate of the King's character. The acts are generally discreditable and the comments unfavourable.
