ABSTRACT
James I’s reputation as ruler of England from 1603 until his death early in 1625 has been reappraised upwards over the past couple of generations. The accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne was carried through in such a peaceful manner that it concealed what was in fact a major change. The land revenue had been one of the major pillars of the royal finances in the reign of Henry VII, but half a century of property sales meant that this was no longer the case. Roman Catholics, like Puritans, hoped that the accession of James I would open a new and happier chapter in their history. James blamed the obduracy of a section of the Catholic community upon the Jesuits and seminary priests who kept the old faith alive, and no sooner did he become king of England than he issued a proclamation ordering all missionary priests to leave his realms.
