James VI and the relationship between monarch and Kirk

James VI and the relationship between monarch and Kirk

James VI’s Early Reign and the Kirk

• Following Mary Queen of Scots’ abdication in 1567, her son James VI was declared King at just one year old.
• At this stage, the Earl of Moray was installed as regent, and the young king was brought up as a Protestant.
• James VI didn’t gain full control of his kingdom until he reached his maturity, which gave the established Kirk, or Scottish Church, substantial independence.

Disputes between James VI and the Kirk

• As he grew older, James made several attempts to claim more control over the Kirk, leading to several key disputes.
• One key issue was the Kirk’s control over public morality, with James preferring to hold this power himself.
• Other disagreements included aspects of church governance, particularly the role of bishops.

The Black Acts

• James VI’s tendency towards absolutism was displayed in the Black Acts of 1584.
• These laws strongly limited the power of the Kirk and were seen by many contemporary and later observers as undermining the reformed faith in Scotland.

The Golden Acts

• The tension relaxed somewhat in the 1590s with the passage of the Golden Acts, which ensured the Kirk had the right to meet at least once a year.
• This allowed for stronger relationships between James and the leading ministers of the era.

Impact on Scotland

• While ebbing and flowing throughout his reign, James VI’s relationship with the Kirk did cause significant tension and conflict.
• Their relationship was one of continual negotiation, with the power-balance shifting back and forth.
• This determined the development of the Protestant Church in Scotland, laying a foundation for religious developments in the centuries to come.