On This Day

Mary, Queen of Scots, is forced to abdicate; her 1-year-old son becomes King James VI of Scotland

James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and...

James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Though he long attempted to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union.

James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a great-great-grandson of Henry VII, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and thus a potential successor to all three thrones. He acceded to the Scottish throne at the age of thirteen months, after his mother was forced to abdicate.

Historical Significance

James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625.

Key People

Mary, Queen of Scots

Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567

Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567

James I and VI

King of Scotland from 1567 to 1625, King of England and Ireland from 1603

King of Scotland from 1567 to 1625, King of England and Ireland from 1603

Events Before

  1. Foundation stone laid for the new city of La Valletta in Malta by Knights Hospitaller Grand Master Jean de Valette

    Fra' Jean "Parisot" de (la) Valette (la) valɛt]; c. 4 February 1495 – 21 August 1568) was a French nobleman and 49th Grand Master of the Order of Malta, from 21 August 1557 to his death in 1568.

  2. Three hundred nobles in the Habsburg Netherlands submit the Compromise of Nobles petition to Margaret of Parma against t

    Three hundred nobles in the Habsburg Netherlands submit the Compromise of Nobles petition to Margaret of Parma against the Inquisition and the enforcement of the placards against heresy

  3. Tribunal convicts Agnes Waterhouse of witchcraft and sentences her to be the first British woman executed for the crime

    Tribunal convicts Agnes Waterhouse of witchcraft and sentences her to be the first British woman executed for the crime (Chelmsford, England)

  4. Great Britain executes Agnes Waterhouse, the first British woman convicted of witchcraft in Chelmsford, England

    Great Britain executes Agnes Waterhouse, the first British woman convicted of witchcraft in Chelmsford, England

  5. Protestant Iconoclasm "Beeldenstorm" (Iconoclastic Fury) begins in the European Low Countries

    Protestant Iconoclasm "Beeldenstorm" (Iconoclastic Fury) begins in the European Low Countries

Events After

  1. Treaty of Adrianople: Representatives of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II and Ottoman Sultan Selim II agree to a peace p

    Treaty of Adrianople: Representatives of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II and Ottoman Sultan Selim II agree to a peace plan ending the war between the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman Empire; Maximilian agrees to provide a cash "present" and ruling authority is granted to the Ottomans in Transylvan

  2. Abdij Church in Middelburg is destroyed by fire

    Abdij Church in Middelburg is destroyed by fire

  3. Treaty of Longjumeau: French huguenots go on strike

    Treaty of Longjumeau: French huguenots go on strike

  4. Battle of Heiligerlee, Groningen: Dutch rebels beat Spanish, thousands killed

    Battle of Heiligerlee, Groningen: Dutch rebels beat Spanish, thousands killed

  5. Duke of Alva oversees beheading of 18 nobles in Brussels as part of Council of Troubles/Council of Blood

    Duke of Alva oversees beheading of 18 nobles in Brussels as part of Council of Troubles/Council of Blood

More from the 1560s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 24, 1567?
James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Though he long attempted to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union. James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a great-great-grandson of Henry VII, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and thus a potential successor to all three thrones.
Why is Mary, Queen of Scots, is forced to abdicate; her 1-year-old son becomes King ... significant?
James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625.
Who was involved in Mary, Queen of Scots, is forced to abdicate; her 1-year-old son becomes King ...?
Key figures include Mary, Queen of Scots (Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567), James I and VI (King of Scotland from 1567 to 1625, King of England and Ireland from 1603).

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