Succession and Union: From Elizabeth to James I

Join us for a lively historical discussion as we explore the dramatic transition from the Elizabethan era to the early Stuart monarchy. The final years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign were marked by powerful symbolism, imperial ambition, and cultural flourishing—but also looming uncertainty over succession. With the accession of James VI of Scotland as James I of England in 1603, the crowns of England and Scotland were united under the House of Stuart, ushering in a new political and dynastic age. This session will examine how continuity and change defined the early 17th century, as the Tudor legacy gave way to new challenges in religion, governance, and identity.

Topics for Discussion

• The Elizabethan Religious Settlement
• Mary, Queen of Scots and the Babington Plot
• The Rise of the English Stage: Shakespeare and Marlowe
• Sir Francis Drake and the Circumnavigation
• The Spanish Armada of 1588)
• English Exploration and the Roanoke Colony
• The Succession Crisis and the End of the Tudor Dynasty
• The Accession of James I and the Union of the Crowns
• The Essex Rebellion and Court Intrigues
• The Gunpowder Plot and Anti-Catholic Sentiment
• The King James Bible and Cultural Legacy
• Jacobean Court and Patronage
• The Rise of Puritanism and Religious Tensions