The Royal Favourite

Overview

The court of the first Stuart King of England, James I, was a hotbed of faction and intrigue, and James was notorious for enjoying the company of handsome male courtiers. Whoever had the King’s ear and heart, controlled far more.

When King James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I in 1603, he inherited not only the debts of his predecessor, but a realm still burning with the religious and political divisions of the English Reformation. Intending to rule with an iron fist, James struggled with his English subjects and failed to understand the temperament of the English parliament. His distrust of his own government also allowed for the rise of personality politics, as James surrounded himself with young male courtiers who knew that their good looks could be wielded as political currency.

James’ court consequently became rife with factional politics as his favourites, Robert Carr and George Villiers, reaped rewards for holding the King’s heart. But these men knew well the risks of the game- they could be rapidly promoted to exalted positions at court, but also discarded for a new Royal Favourite, igniting personal feuds which shaped English politics for decades.

Join historian Dr Lauren Mackay to explore the explosive reign of James I, which was marked by religious drama and the succession of charismatic favourites that shaped his life, court, and legacy.