The Wisest Fool

The Lavish Life of James VI and I

Steven Veerapen

$49.99

Hardback

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English

Birlinn Ltd
01 January 2024

History; European history; British & Irish history; Social & cultural history; Archaeology

James VI and I, the first monarch to reign over Scotland, England and Ireland, has long endured a mixed reputation. To many, he is simply the homosexual King, the inveterate witch-roaster, the smelly sovereign who never washed, the colourless man behind the authorised Bible bearing his name, or the drooling fool whose speech could barely be understood. For too long, he has paled in comparison to his more celebrated Tudor and Stuart forebears.

But who was he really? To what extent have myth, anecdote, and rumour obscured him?

In this new and ground-breaking biography, James's story is laid bare and a welter of scurrilous, outrageous assumptions penned by his political opponents put to rest. What emerges is a portrait of Elizabeth I's successor as his contemporaries knew him: a gregarious, idealistic man obsessed with the idea of family, whose personal and political goals could never match up to reality. With reference to letters, libels and state papers, it casts fresh light on the personal, domestic, international and sexual politics of this misunderstood sovereign.

'A real page-turner for lovers of history' - Philippa Gregory

By: Steven Veerapen
Imprint: Birlinn Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 39mm
Weight: 700g
ISBN: 9781780278162
ISBN 10: 1780278160
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 01 January 2024
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Steven Veerapen was born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and a Mauritian father. He graduated with 1st Class Honours from the University of Strathclyde and was awarded a PhD in 2014 He is currently teaching associate in English at Strathclyde. In addition to his academic work, he has also written a number of historical novels, and his crime mysteries featuring Anthony Blanke, set in Tudor England, is published by Polygon.