📕 Chapter 3: A Long and Illustrious History
Who became king of England when Elizabeth I died?
Correct answer: James VI of Scotland (James I of England)
A Henry VIII
B Charles I
✓ James VI of Scotland (James I of England)
D Oliver Cromwell
💡 Explanation
James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, uniting the crowns.
Key facts to remember
- James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603
- United the crowns of England and Scotland
- Countries remained separate with own parliaments
- King James Bible published 1611
- One of the most influential books in English
- James believed in divine right of kings
Why this is the answer
From the official Life in the UK study material — 3.3.6 James I and James VI:
When Elizabeth I died in 1603 without an heir, the crown passed to James VI of Scotland, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He became James I of England, uniting the crowns of England and Scotland for the first time. However, England and Scotland remained separate countries with their own parliaments and laws.
James I commissioned a new English translation of the Bible, which was published in 1611. The King James Bible, as it became known, is one of the most influential books in the English language and is still widely used today. James believed in the 'divine right of kings' — the idea that the monarch's authority came directly from God.
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