How was James VI of Scotland, later James I related to Elizabeth I?

Answer 1

In 1586, James VI of Scotland and Elizabeth I of England became allies under the Treaty of Berwick. James sought to remain in the favour of the unmarried Queen of England, as he was a potential successor to her Crown. Because Henry VIII had feared that the English Crown would go to a Scot, in his will, he excluded Margaret Tudor, James' grandmother, and her descendants from the line of succession. Although technically excluded by the will—which, under an Act of Parliament, had the force of law—both Mary, Queen of Scots and James were serious claimants to the English Crown, as they were Elizabeth I's closest relatives.

Also in 1586, Mary was implicated in the Babington Plot, a scheme which sought to put her on the throne of England after murdering Elizabeth. Elizabeth had previously spared Mary's life after the Ridolfi Plot, but could no longer tolerate the danger she posed. Consequently, Mary was executed for her crimes in 1587. But for the will of Henry VIII, James was the Heir Presumptive to the English Crown.


Following Mary's execution, and the decline of her support in Scotland, James managed to reduce significantly the influence of the Roman Catholic nobles in Scotland. He further endeared himself to Protestants by marrying Anne of Denmark—a princess from a Protestant country and daughter of Frederick II of Denmark—by proxy in 1589. Another marriage ceremony, this time with both parties personally present, occurred on 23 November 1589 in the Old Bishops' Palace in Oslo during James' visit to the Kingdom of Denmark.

The couple produced eight living children and one who was stillborn. Only three survived infancy, Henry, Prince of Wales who died of typhoid in 1612 aged 19, Charles who was to succede his father as Charles I and Elizabeth of Bohemia.

Upon the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, under the terms of Henry's will, the Crown should have passed to Lady Anne Stanley, a descendant of Henry VIII's sister Mary Tudor. (Elizabeth's second cousin once-removed, Viscount Beauchamp, son of Lady Catherine Grey, was more senior, but he was considered illegitimate because his parents' marriage was annulled.)

As neither Beauchamp nor Lady Anne nor any other was powerful enough to defend a claim, an Accession Council met and proclaimed James King of England. He and his wife were crowned on 25 July 1603 at Westminster Abbey. Scotland and England remained separate states (see Personal union); it was not until 1707 that the Acts of Union merged the two nations to create a new state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Answer 2

He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary's grandmother was Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's older sister. Margaret Tudor married King James IV of Scotland, and her son was Mary's father, James V. Henry VIII was thus Mary's great Uncle, and she and Elizabeth were 1st cousins, once removed. Therefore James VI was Elizabeth's 1st Cousin twice removed.

Answer 3

James vVI was Qeen Mary's son. As Queen Elizabeth Ist of england murdered our queen, and QEI had no heirs, James VI became James Ist of england. Mary and Elizabeth were cousins

But, and I've said this before, Queen Elizabeth 2nd is actually Queen Elizabeth 1st here on Scotland as we've not had a QE before.

Answer 4

The relationship is a bit tangled and obscure if I remember correctly, but here goes:

Mary's Grandmother was English, an Aunt of Elizabeth's and sister of Henry VIII. Which would make them cousins or 2nd cousins. James' father was an English aristocrat and another cousin of Elizabeth's. Therefore James would be something like a 3rd cousin on the patrilineal side of the Tudor clan. Calculated via the descendants of Henry Tudor (VII).

Answer 5

I will answer you specific question as directly as possible, Elizabeth was the child of Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn, considered to be illegitimate, by many because of Henry's break with the church in order to divorce Katherine. James inherited the throne from her as she died without an heir. James was actually James VI of Scotland, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots(legitimate heir of Henry VIII) and Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley), who were actually 2nd Cousins as they were the Great Grandchildren of Henry VI. Elizabeth and Mary were half-sisters and there for James was the nephew of Elizabeth.

Answer 6

He was her first cousin, twice removed.

The mother of James VI of Scotland was Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Mary was a first cousin once removed of Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England. Mary's paternal grandmother, Margaret Tudor, Queen (Consort) of Scotland, was the elder sister of Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII Tudor, King of England.

Answer 7

Hi! They were first cousins twice removed... ?! James mother Mary Queen of Scots was Elizabeths cousin.

Answer 8

His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, was Elizabeth's first cousin.

Answer 9

He was Mary Queen of Scot's son, who was Elizabeth I's cousin.

Answer 10

He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was Elizabeth's cousin. Since she had no heirs, and her half sister was gone, he was the closest relation to her.