First known letter by King James VI of Scotland to go on display
The first known letter written by King James VI of Scotland - penned when he was no more than seven years old - is to go on display later this month.The rare document - held by National Records of Scotland (NRS) - joins other items as part of an exhibition to mark 400 years since the his death.It brings together precious documents with artworks, clothing and jewels to create an "immersive experience".The World of King James VI & I opens at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh on 26 April.
The display offers a special look into the life of the king who became the first to unite the crowns of England and Scotland.Born on 19 June 1566 in Edinburgh Castle he became King of Scots when he was just 13 months old after his mother - Mary, Queen of Scots - was forced to abdicate.Described as a "shrewd ruler" he became King of England in 1603 following the death of Elizabeth I. He was then known as both James VI of Scotland and King James I of England. He died on 27 March 1625 and was succeeded by his second son, Charles.The documents going on display help tell his story from his early days through to his time ruling the much wider kingdom.
Among the papers going on show is a childhood "thank you" letter.In it, young James expresses gratitude to his guardian's wife, the Countess of Mar, for sending him fruit.Dr Alan Borthwick, head of medieval and early modern records at NRS, said: "These records are rarely seen in public."They help us understand James's remarkable story, from becoming king of Scots as a baby, his mother's exile, his childhood and going on to become the first monarch to rule Scotland, England and Ireland."
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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Why Lydia Bright refuses to end bizarre friendship with ex James Argent – despite beauty queen assault and social swipe
Pals have shared how Lydia reacted after Arg was arrested for attacking his beauty queen ex ARG'S ROCK Why Lydia Bright refuses to end bizarre friendship with ex James Argent – despite beauty queen assault and social swipe HE cheated on her multiple times, sent her abusive messages and at one point she told him: 'I despise you". Yet to the confusion of millions of Towie fans who have followed their journey from lovers, to enemies, and now the best of friends, Lydia Bright is sticking by James Argent after he violently assaulted his Swedish girlfriend Nicoline Artursson. 12 Lydia Bright has stuck by James Argent in the wake of his assault arrest Credit: Instagram 12 James in Spain attending a court 'rehabilitation' programme Credit: BackGrid 12 Argent attacked Nicoline Artursson who had shared a social media post which appeared to take a swipe at his close relationship with Lydia Credit: Doug Seeburg 12 James and Lydia's up and down relationship get Towie viewers hooked for years Credit: Rex A friend who knows both Lydia and Arg very well tells The Sun: 'When it comes to what happened with Arg and Nicoline, Lydia would never condone violence and has made that very clear to James, but she doesn't think that he is a violent man and she knows he deeply regrets the events of that night. "She has stuck by him, even though she doesn't agree with his actions - just as his other mates like Mark Wright have." Caught in the crossfire Lydia found herself publicly dragged into the fallout when a deleted instagram post from Nicoline, shared in the hours before the assault, appeared to take aim at her. Nicoline's social media message - deleted after she posted it to her 32,000 followers around 10:44pm on May 4 - read: 'Is it OK if your boyfriend is talking and hanging out with their ex and the family daily and liking their Instagram posts? The post continued: 'Then your partner blames you for seeing it, now the ex is supposedly their 'best friend'. If you're in a serious relationship you've got to respect your partner and leave the past in the past.' Hours after she deleted the message, disgraced James got into an explosive row with Nicoline and pushed her down some stairs at her apartment in La Cala de Mijas on the Costa del Sol. Quickly arrested and brought to court, Argent received a six-month suspended prison sentence for domestic abuse and was banned from contacting Nicoline. He pleaded guilty to 'mistreating' the former Miss Sweden, who was taken to hospital with horrific injuries. But while many would forgive Lydia for running a mile from her friendship with Arg after this latest scandal, she has remained loyal because, as those in her inner circle tell the Sun, the pair are "more than just mates, they're like family." Why Lydia stayed loyal A pal reveals: 'James and Lydia went through a lot when they were young and in a relationship but despite all the drama - they have stayed the closest of friends. Horrific injuries James Argent inflicted on his beauty queen girlfriend revealed as star avoids jail for horror attack 'There have been rocky moments, but they've both grown up together and there's a bond between them that can't be broken. 'They think of themselves as being kids on Towie, young and silly. Now they're adults and support each other. 'James is very much seen as part of her extended family and is very close to her mum, Debbie, and sister Romana. Their families are very tight knit." Indeed, Lydia becoming a mum to her daughter Loretta, five, who she shares with her ex, Lee Cronin, has only brought her closer with James - who is said to be 'like an uncle' to the little girl. Our insider adds: 'James was thrilled when Lydia became a mum and loves to spend time with her little girl Loretta – he absolutely dotes on her and loves treating her. He wants children one day and is very paternal, like an uncle." 12 James in 'like an uncle' to Lydia's daughter Loretta Credit: Instagram 12 James and Nicoline in happier times before that dark night in May Credit: Instagram @real_arg His darkest hours Lydia has also been Arg's rock at every testing time in his life including his long battle with obesity and drug addiction. When he revealed that he feared eating himself to death as his weight skyrocketed to 27st during his lowest ebb, later enduring several stints in rehab, Lydia was always there for him. 'Lydia's been a constant to James during his struggles with his weight and when he was losing himself to drugs," says a pal. 'She's only ever wanted the best for James and when he's been at rock bottom, she's always been there to lift him back up. "She sees the best in him - and knows what he's really like as a person and says he has a very good heart." Of course, those in James and Lydia's orbit often thought the childhood sweethearts would one day find their way back to each other romantically. 'There was a time when people thought James wanted Lydia back - it's obvious he does think about what their life could have been like if they stayed together. 12 At one point James weight rose to 27 stone Credit: The Mega Agency 12 He also has been open about his battle with drugs - which Lydia also supported him through Credit: Rex Features 'But that ship has sailed - James values the friendship so highly, it's the same for her. 'They speak regularly and see each other as much as they can - it's the same with James with Lydia's family. He'll pop in for a cuppa with Debbie and she sees him like a surrogate son.' The list of women he cheated with Arg and Lydia's love story started off screen nearly two decades ago when they were teens and their drama-filled romance made legendary TV on the ITVBe show - gripping viewers with its constant twists and turns. Both were OG cast members and viewers were completely gripped by their love story. During one iconic episode he bought her Mr Darcy for Christmas - a pet 'micro' pig which ended up growing to full size. At one point, the couple were engaged and planned to move in together but were hit by a series of cheating scandals and fall outs - in one scene Arg had to read a list of people he'd cheated with. He admitted kissing Amy Childs and bedding Gemma Collins and Lydia, on the same day, on a jaunt to Marbella. Even after multiple breakups (Arg's addictions were blamed for their many woes), they managed to maintain a friendship spanning 18 years. 12 James and Lydia were childhood sweethearts Credit: Getty Images - Getty 12 Their rocky rows played out on Towie Credit: Rex 12 James slept with Gemma Collins and Lydia on the same day, causing a huge drama Credit: Rex Features Fat jibes But there's been a dark side to their union. James was accused of sending vile messages to Lydia, calling her a "sl*t" for sleeping with someone else, after their breakup in 2012. He was later exposed for sending Gemma a series of abusive fat-shaming texts -reportedly referring to her as a "fat joke of a woman," saying she had "more rolls than Greggs." As late as 2020, Gemma revealed Arg had called her a "hippo" and a "fat f**k" when she shared screenshots of the vile abuse on Instagram. Arg and Lydia's relationship timeline The Towie pair go way back with their bond spanning 18 years and ups and downs 2008 : James and Lydia begin dating he was 20 and she was just 18. : James and Lydia begin dating he was 20 and she was just 18. 2010 : Both appear as original cast members on TOWIE, bringing their relationship into the spotlight and under public scrutiny for the first time. : Both appear as original cast members on TOWIE, bringing their relationship into the spotlight and under public scrutiny for the first time. 2012 : The couple end their relationship after five years after Arg allegedly relapses into his cocaine habit. Arg's party lifestyle was a huge source of contention, with most of their rows revolving around him keeping secrets from her and slipping back into his bad ways. : The couple end their relationship after five years after Arg allegedly relapses into his cocaine habit. Arg's party lifestyle was a huge source of contention, with most of their rows revolving around him keeping secrets from her and slipping back into his bad ways. Arg and Gemma Collins begin their romantic relationship in 2012, shortly after Arg's split from Lydia and she begins dating his 'rival' Tom Kilbey. December 2014 : Arg checks himself into The Priory and is rumoured to be spending Christmas in Rehab. : Arg checks himself into The Priory and is rumoured to be spending Christmas in Rehab. 2015 : They rekindle their romance, with their renewed relationship featured on TOWIE : They rekindle their romance, with their renewed relationship featured on TOWIE 2016 : James and Lydia split again, amid claims she caught him on a cocaine binge. : James and Lydia split again, amid claims she caught him on a cocaine binge. 2017 : Lydia discovers that James cheated on her, and it comes to light he slept with both her and Gemma Collins on the same day during a trip to Marbella. : Lydia discovers that James cheated on her, and it comes to light he slept with both her and Gemma Collins on the same day during a trip to Marbella. 2019 : Despite their past, James and Lydia remain friends, with James stating they are "extremely close again" and have kept their renewed friendship "low-key and behind closed doors." : Despite their past, James and Lydia remain friends, with James stating they are "extremely close again" and have kept their renewed friendship "low-key and behind closed doors." 2021 : James expresses fondness for Lydia, acknowledging her support and their enduring friendship. : James expresses fondness for Lydia, acknowledging her support and their enduring friendship. 2023: Lydia confirms that she and James remain good friends, emphasizing the strong bond they share Lydia also spoke about Arg controlling her during their time together saying: ''He could be so jealous and in the end it killed me. 'He was suffocating me and holding me back. He was insecure. He got so scared he was going to lose me he'd say, 'I can't let you do this and I can't let you do that'. 'He didn't even like me going out and every time I did, it was a drama.' 'Sad, lost and insecure' During one scene Lydia told him that she hated him saying: "I don't want us to ever be friends. I don't want you to speak to my friends and family. You made me hate you. When I look at you, I despise you." And she insisted he was 'sad, lost and insecure.' "We were getting a house, getting engaged, but nothing was ever enough for you,' she told him. "I tried to hold your hand through life, I gave you everything. "It's really sad because you give this front that you're this really happy person, loveable Arg but there's something in you that is so sad and lost and insecure.' Friends of the pair insist, however, that this is all water under the bridge and has only made the former couple's bond even stronger. 'Lydia and Arg have been through it all together. They have seen the best of each other, but also the worst of each other, but it's cemented an unbreakable bond between them. 'There is a deep love there that goes beyond any romantic relationship and they will always have each other's back. Lydia might not always agree with everything Arg does, and he has hurt her many times over the years, but she will always be there for, through thick and thin.'
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Queen to appear in favourite author's new crime thriller about killer in palace
Queen to appear in favourite author's new crime thriller about killer in palace Peter James's latest Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller centres on a race to stop a killer at Buckingham Palace King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Image: Getty Images ) The Queen is to star in a new crime novel alongside her favourite fictional detective. Peter James's latest Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller centres on a race to stop a killer at Buckingham Palace. Camilla is depicted travelling aboard the Royal Train when disaster strikes and it derails, and a trusted aide is shot by a sniper, leading Grace to head to the Palace to investigate, the Daily Mail revealed. The Queen is understood to have been aware of the book. James – one of Camilla's favourite authors – is said to have carried out extensive research about the famous royal residence. Article continues below In the publicity for the novel, publisher Pan Macmillan describes James as the "Creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla's favourite fictional detective". It says of the plot: "A tragic accident or a planned attack?... Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced the Queen was the intended target... Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the Palace will strike again." The also King features in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which is due out in October. Article continues below The Queen, a voracious reader and passionate supporter of a number of literary charities, previously recommended James's blockbusters as part her Reading Room book club. In 2021, she visited the set of Grace – ITV's television adaptation of James's books which stars John Simm as the troubled but methodical detective – and joked about asking for a cameo role. She told James: "I love your books. I've read them all, cover to cover."
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Queen to appear in favourite author's new crime thriller about killer in Palace
Peter James's latest Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller centres on a race to stop a killer at Buckingham Palace. Camilla is depicted travelling aboard the Royal Train when disaster strikes and it derails, and a trusted aide is shot by a sniper, leading Grace to head to the Palace to investigate, the Daily Mail revealed. The Queen is understood to have been aware of the book. James – one of Camilla's favourite authors – is said to have carried out extensive research about the famous royal residence. In the publicity for the novel, publisher Pan Macmillan describes James as the 'Creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla's favourite fictional detective'. It says of the plot: 'A tragic accident or a planned attack?… Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced the Queen was the intended target… Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the Palace will strike again.' The also King features in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which is due out in October. The Queen, a voracious reader and passionate supporter of a number of literary charities, previously recommended James's blockbusters as part her Reading Room book club. In 2021, she visited the set of Grace – ITV's television adaptation of James's books which stars John Simm as the troubled but methodical detective – and joked about asking for a cameo role. She told James: 'I love your books. I've read them all, cover to cover.'
