Union
James VI and I is most famous for being the monarch who united the crowns of England and Scotland on the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. Here is how a family of Edinburgh burgesses recorded this great event in the chronicle of notable events which they kept in their family. The grandson of the originator of the chronicle, David Johnston, gifted it to Thomas, Lord Fairfax in 1655. Note that the Edinburgh businessmen didn't see the Union as being all to their advantage.
- Upon the foirsaid 24 of March betuix 8 and 9 howris in the
- Upon the 24th of March between 8 and 9 hours in the morning the
- morneing the Lordis of the prive cownsell of England being
- Lords of the Privy Council of England were convened and
- convened and understanding, as said is, caused procleim at the
- understanding what had happened, ordered a proclamation to be
- yetis [gates] of hir lait majesteis cowrt and schaw to the haill
- made at the gates of her late Majesty's court, informing the whole
- peopill thair assembled that hir majestie was dead and that the
- people assembled there that her Majesty was dead and that the
- successive richt of the croun and awthoritie of hir dominionns
- right of succession to the crown and authority of her dominions
- apperteaned only to James King of Scotland, so the said proclamation,
- pertained only to James King of Scotland. So the proclamation
- so soon as could be possible, was publisched till all his majestes
- was published as soon as possible to all his Majesty's subjects.
- subjects, now justlie intitled King of England, Scotland, France and
- He was now justly entitled King of England, Scotland France and
- Ireland, Defender of the Faith and at tuo houris efternoon the
- Ireland, Defender of the Faith and at two hours in the
- same was proclamed at the gilt cruss at Chaipsyd in London
- afternoon this was proclaimed at the gilt cross of Cheapside in London
- quhair thair was grit numbers of pepill, baith kirkmen, gentilmen
- where there were great numbers of people, both clergy, gentlemen
- and laicks convened admyring that the matter could be [Sir
- and ordinary folk convened wondering what the matter could be.
- Robert Cecil read the proclamation] . . . and hering the content
- [The proclamation was read by Sir Robert Cecil] Hearing the content
- thereof and being very glaid thairat thai all cryed in one consent
- of it and being very glad at it, they all cried with one consent 'God save
- 'God Save King James!'. The word 'king' was a very strange word till
- King James!'. The word King was a very strange word to them having
- them, haifing now wanted a king the spaice of 50 yeiris compleit
- now been without a king for 50 whole years since
- since the day of Edward the sax quho died in anno 1553.
- the time of Edward VI who died in 1553.
- Upon the Satterday following Sir Robert Cary (brother till Sir Johne
- Upon the Saturday following, unknown to the Lords of the English
- Cary, governor of Berwick) unknawn to the Lords of the English
- Council, Sir Robert Cary (brother to Sir John Cary, governor of Berwick)
- cownsell haifing gotin intelligence thairof be the seang of the
- arrived at Holyroodhouse. He had got intelligence [of the Queen's death]
- quenis gentilwemen out of the window quhair of ane she lay,
- by seeing one of the Queen's ladies in waiting, out of the window where
- arryved at Holyroodhouse and haifing hurt his coller bain be the way
- she lay. Having hurt his collar bone on the way [due to rushing to be first
- schew to his majestie of the quenis death and of his new inheritance
- with the news] he told his Majesty of the Queen's death and of his new
- quho was not a litill glad at it and baith then and efterward
- inheritance, who was not a little glad of it and both then and afterward
- rewarded him honorably for his pains.
- rewarded him honourably for his pains.
- [The official English delegation turned up soon after and asked James
- to accept the Crown. He did so gladly.]
- Upon Mononday the 28 of March, his majestie sent John Bothwell
- Upon Monday the 28 of March, his Majesty sent John Bothwell,
- Lord of Holyroodhouse to the town of Berwick to tak possession
- Lord of Holyroodhouse, to the town of Berwick to take possession
- thairof for his use quho being reallie possessed of the keys and staff
- of it for his use. Being actually given the keys and staff
- thairof and the oth of allegance being taken, he cheirfully in the
- of the town and the oath of allegiance being taken, he cheerfully in the
- King's name rendereth the forsaid staff and keyis thairof to the
- King's name rendered the staff and keys to the mayor
- Major and governor thairof, shawing to them that his Majesteyis
- and governor of the town, telling them that his Majesty's good
- goode plasur was thai sould enjoy all thair ancient privileges
- pleasure was that they should enjoy all their ancient privileges, charters
- charteris and libertyis and not only they bot also all otheris his
- and liberties and not only them but also all his other good and loving
- goode and looving subjectis schawing and continewing in the
- subjects who shared similar obedience and who continued to be obedient.
- lyk obedience and the said Lord returned again to his Majestie in Holyroodhouse.
- Continuing in obedience the said Lord returned again to his Majesty in Holyroodhouse.
- At this tym grit was the confluence baith of noblemen and other
- At this time there was great confluence of both noblemen and other
- peopill in Edinburgh alsweall of English as of Scotismen to see the
- people in Edinburgh both English and Scots. To see the
- rejoysing thair, it was wonderfull. Bot the wysser sort of Scots men
- rejoicing there was wonderful. But the wiser sort of Scots
- said as efter it is turned to pas that King James getting England,
- men said (as after turned out with King James getting England),
- Scotland wald baith tyn their King and their court and in tym of
- Scotland would lose both her king and court and in time of
- thair grit afflictionnis or oppressions be over many staitsmen as
- great affliction or oppression would have too many politicians as
- kinges, [and] thei wald haif far till go to worschip or till
- kings and thus would have far to go to pay court [to the real king]
- seik relieif or redres.
- or to seek relief or redress.
'Johnstons' History', Adv. Ms. 35.4.2, ii, ff.640r-v.