King James

In 1603 on her death bed, Elizabeth named as her successor a cousin, James VI, the king of Scotland. Although Elizabeth was mourned throughout the kingdom, many looked forward to a change in leadership. James came to London and was crowned James I. He was a shy, secretive man who fancied himself an intellectual. James had authored books on witches, the evils of tobacco and the principles of good government. And he was fascinated by the English theater. Within a few months he had named Shakespeare's company The King's Men, which meant that the actors had some degree of royal patronage and protection. Shakespeare's group made a great deal of money staging special performances at the palace, and in tribute to their new patron Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.

After the initial hope for a more enlightened rule, many Englishmen were disappointed by King James' willful behavior which caused great upset and concern. Some perceptive person said about James he was the "wisest fool in Christendom." He often appointed dishonest and incompetent men as his ministers. One exception was Francis Bacon, a perfect example of what we mean by "Renaissance Man." Bacon was the author of the first modern work on scientific thought. He wrote musical entertainments using allegories called masques for the amusement of the court. And he served as the head of the English Exchequer, the national treasury. Both Elizabeth and James could attract the best and brightest, but James was often less able to recognize their talents.