Latest news with #JamesVI
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How a botched marriage to a 14-year-old made a 'demon obsessed' King start burning elderly women alive
In this second episode of a special miniseries from the Mail's Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, historian Kate Williams and royal biographer Robert Hardman set out to crown British history's worst ever royal blind date. From seasickness making one Queen so thin her wedding dress nearly fell off, to a famously mad King crying out for his mother after one look at his new bride, the hosts elevated one dating horror story above all others. The marriage of the superstitious James VI to a teenage Anne of Denmark didn't just prove unsatisfying and panic-inducing for the monarchy - it was deeply damaging to the realm. The podcast explores their troubled union and how a stormy wedding voyage sparked a paranoid obsession in James with the supernatural. James VI's turbulent marriage to Anne of Denmark Get your weekly dose of Royal scandals and palace intrigue on this Mail podcast Hosted by Royal Historians Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams, Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things looks at the Royal Family - the secrets, the palace intrigues, and the Crown's bloodiest moments. Listen wherever you get your podcasts now. James VI was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and became King of Scotland as an infant. He later succeeded to the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, uniting the two kingdoms under one crown. James was 22 when his courtiers presented him with a suitable candidate to be his queen, a 14-year-old Danish princess called Anne. As it was important for the marriage to be formalised quickly, James's court arranged what was known as a proxy consummation. 'The proxy consummator has to be worst job in royal history', historian Kate Williams told the podcast. 'They had to lay in bed with Anne, fully clothed, while everyone in the court watched on.' Now technically married, the teenager set sail for Scotland for a formal wedding celebration. With her was a fleet of 16 ships carrying lavish furniture and horses attached to solid silver carriages. However, weeks pass by, and James's new Queen is nowhere to be seen. As Kate Willaims explained: 'Only six of the ships arrive in Scotland. Anne was forced back to the coast of Norway, to Oslo. 'James hears a rumour that Anne's ships are in trouble. He begins to panic that she's drowned. 'The King orders everyone in Scotland to fast and pray for her safekeeping – and he sends out a search party. Shakespeare would base the witches in Macbeth off the King's book, to honour the monarchy at the play's inaugural performance 'He begins to become obsessed by bad omens and thinks everyone in the realm should take them more seriously. 'He became totally preoccupied with Anne, setting out on his own rescue mission accompanied by 300 other people, including a priest.' Despite his council warning against it, James was successful in his voyage to rescue Anne. Upon seeing her for the first time, to Anne's shock, the King publicly gave her 'a full kiss on the mouth'. Although his bride was safe, James blamed the choppy waters on a cabal of witches in Edinburgh. He was likely influenced by the Danish, who had just started their own witch trials and believed the storms that disrupted the wedding were caused by supernatural forces. Returning to his kingdom, he initiates a series of witch trials – the first of their kind in Scotland. 'These women are usually poor, usually elderly and they're usually widows', Williams said. 'The King personally interviews one of these women, Agnes Sampson, at Holyrood Palace. She's tortured into a confession and then burned alive.' Between 1590 and 1707, nearly 3000 people were killed in increasingly cruel ways as a result of the trials started by James. Ten years after his marriage, the King would pen a book about demonology – remembered one of the first ever collections of horror stories. Shakespeare would base the witches in Macbeth off the King's book, to honour the monarchy at the play's inaugural performance. To hear more stories like this one, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Man, 35, arrested after glass containing rare ancient stone smashed at Scots museum
Officers nicked a 35-year-old man in connection with the alleged incident STONE STUNT Man, 35, arrested after glass containing rare ancient stone smashed at Scots museum Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has been arrested after he allegedly smashed the glass casing protecting the Stone of Destiny. Cops were called to Perth Museum, where the historic artefact is housed, yesterday following reports of a disturbance. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cops raced to Perth Museum yesterday following reports of a disturbance Credit: PA The glass display case was shattered and officers nicked a 35-year-old man in connection with the alleged incident. The iconic stone, which has been used for centuries in the coronations of monarchs, was not damaged and no one was injured. A spokesperson for Police Scotland told The Courier: 'At around 1.55pm on Saturday July 12, 2025, Police Scotland received a call regarding a disturbance at Perth Museum. 'A 35-year-old man was subsequently arrested. Enquiries are continuing.' Perth Museum has been contacted for comment. A picture posted to their social media page reads: "We're back open until 5pm today. Please note the Stone of Destiny is temporarily unavailable." The Stone of Destiny, otherwise known as the Stone of Scone, has been used for centuries in the coronations of monarchs and the inauguration of Scottish kings. The earliest use of the stone and exactly how and when it became associated with king-making remains unknown, but legends around its origin strongly link it with kingship and the emergence of Scotland as a nation. The last Scottish King to be inaugurated using the Stone of Scone was John Balliol in 1292. Since then it has been used by English monarchs, and then British ones when James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. Untold secrets from the King's Coronation and star-studded State Banquets laid bare by royal legends It was also used during King Charles' coronation.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
American choir prepares to join young local musicians in Stirling charity concert
Voices from the Heart, from New Hampshire, are singing alongside the community chorus from Big Noise Raploch. An American women's choir has raised more than £18,000 in support of Scotland's music and social change charity, Sistema Scotland, as it prepares to perform in the historic heart of Scotland. Voices from the Heart, from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are singing alongside the community chorus from Big Noise Raploch in a special concert at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling on Friday, June 27. The 200-strong choir is known for its mix of soulful music from different traditions and its community work and some 80 members will travel to Scotland to perform later this month. Founded in 1995, it brings together women from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts to rehearse, perform and share the joy of music. The choir, based in New Hampshire, organises trips abroad combined with support for communities in the places they visit. They previously raised money for youth charity Friends Forever and for organisations tackling domestic abuse in Ireland for a trip in 2001, and fundraising to clear a minefield in Croatia in 2007. They have also supported aid projects in Cuba and South Africa. The 2025 tour of Scotland is in support of Sistema Scotland and its six Big Noise projects that support children, young people and communities through music and nurturing relationships in the areas of greatest need in the country. Since starting in Raploch in 2008, the programme has grown to support around 4,000 children and young people in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling. So far, the choir has raised $25,000 (£18,526) and money is still coming in. The choir raised money from individual donations, and through events such as a community song night, raffles and selling handmade crafts. The concert takes place at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, the site of James VI's coronation in 1567, on June 27. Tickets are free and the choir will perform a mix of traditional American music, including African American spirituals, Native American pieces and modern classics such as Ain't No Mountain High Enough. They will also perform Scottish pieces including The Skye Boat Song, Flower of Scotland and Caledonia. The choir will also sing at Iona Abbey on Iona, the Rockfield Centre in Oban, Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh, and the Portree and Brocadale Free Church of Scotland on Skye. Joanne Connolly, Voices from the Heart director, said: 'Our music is upbeat, joyful and positive. 'We look for organisations to support that fit with our mission. Sistema Scotland empower women and children and build community through music. Their work is a wonderful fit. I looked at the website and I saw a picture of a little girl playing the violin. It really moved me because I am a violinist and my grandparents put a violin in my hand – and it is Sistema who put a violin in her hand. 'They also talk about how children from different schools and different neighbourhoods come together in the community. We think it is so important for children to have these different communities to link up to. 'Our group is amazing. We have 200 members who have done so much to raise money for Big Noise – everyone joined together to raise funds.' Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland Chief Executive said: 'The power of music to bring people together, celebrate the human spirit and lift people's feelings is well know, and we are delighted to share this special concert with Voices from the Heart. 'We are incredibly grateful to them for choosing us as their charity this year, and for inviting our community choir in Raploch to perform alongside them. Not only will the money raised help young people across Scotland reach their potential through music, but the concert itself will celebrate our shared values and beliefs in music as a force for good in our society.'
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Historic Cardiff pub on city's most famous street reopens with new look
One of Cardiff's most beloved gay bars has reopened with a brand new look. The Corner House at the top of Caroline Street - better known as Chippy Lane - has just reopened after an interior refresh and six weeks of redecorating. The pub, which first opened its doors in 1874 under the name The King's Cross, has leaned into a premium aesthetic and its owners have described the new look as helping to provide a 'new and improved experience for customers' on Facebook featuring a slick, polished look while also incorporating lots of different warm colours. It is running as a pub, bar, and restaurant, making it the perfect spot to head into at any time if you're in the city centre. It's not the first time the pub has gone through an identity shift. In the early 1970s, it found a new identity and became a key part of Cardiff's gay nightlife. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here According to Cadw, it was here that the city's first official gay bar opened in 1972, just a few years after homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales. It quickly became known as the centre of gay life in the capital and hosted Cardiff University's Gay Society and also played a key role in the social scene for LGBTQ+ people during a time when safe, welcoming spaces were still rare. In a symbolic nod to its new community, the pub's sign was even changed to feature a portrait of King James VI and I - a monarch widely believed to have been gay. After nearly four decades as a gay venue, The King's Cross closed its doors in 2011, despite a campaign to save it. The site later reopened as The Corner House Bar and Restaurant but the building's historic importance was recognised in 1999 when it was granted listed status by Cadw. Now, the beloved venue is set for another new chapter with a fresh new look and it seems like there is plenty of excitement on social media following its revamp. The Corner House posted on Facebook: 'After a long six weeks, we are finally open for business and ready to show everyone our beautiful restaurant.' The pub sits among several historically significant LGBTQ+ venues in Cardiff. Nearby, the former Blue Anchor Hotel was home to Wales's first gay disco and the Cardiff Gay Liberation Front, while the Golden Cross which is still operating today remains a firm fixture of the city's queer nightlife. But what does the historic pub look like on the inside now? Here's a peek at the new pictures showing what The Corner House looks like after its makeover. Wales Online Cardiff Statues Quiz
The Herald Scotland
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Britain is Scottish: a truth from history that's still true today
A couple of examples. James Boswell's diaries for Sunday 21 November 1762 describe his meeting with a fellow Scot Walter Macfarlane who was 'keenly interested in the reigning contests between Scots & English'. Boswell says this of Macfarlane: 'He talked much against the Union. He said we were perfect underlings, that our riches were carried out of the country and that many others were hurt by it.' Switch the date from 1762 to 2025 and some of the language but not much of it, and this is very familiar stuff. Another example. There's been a bit of a fad of late for books about James VI, focusing mostly on what his sexuality might have been, but I quite enjoyed The Wisest Fool by Steven Veerapen and, as with Boswell, there are striking familiarities with now. In the bookstalls of London and Edinburgh in the early years of James's reign, there were pamphlets explaining why unionism was a wonderful idea and pamphlets explaining why unionism was a terrible idea. There were also Brexit-style arguments over what kind of union Scotland and England should have; was the best idea some kind of loose federation or should the countries go for a much closer, Wales-style deal instead? So ancient, so modern. On top of all that, there's now a new piece of work that suggests a more surprising historic take on the relationship between Scotland and Britain. It's by the Glasgow University Professor Dauvit Broun and it concludes that medieval Scottish historians and scholars regarded the Scottish kingdom as equivalent to Britain; Britain as fundamentally Scottish in fact. 'Scotland as Britain can be detected quite clearly in histories of the Scottish kingdom written in Latin and read by Scots between the 1380s and 1520s,' says the professor. Professor Broun says this idea of Britain as fundamentally Scottish will be provocative in today's polarised debates about national identity and I can see what he means. There are some Scots today who think one of the big problems in the debate about national identity is that there are English people who project their sense of nationhood on to Scotland, do not appear to respect the separate Scottish identity, or actually conflate England and Britain. I don't think this happens as much as we think, but when it does, it's irritating. Read more However, what makes the idea of the English projecting their sense of nationhood onto Scotland more interesting is Professor Broun's idea that it's happened the other way around as well and there are Scots who conflated Britain and Scotland. The professor quotes John Mair, sometimes called the father of Scottish unionism, and says Mair's vision was essentially of a Scottish kingdom expanded to include England. Mair assumed a Scottish king would come to rule Britain which is indeed what happened in the end. As we know, the king that did it, James VI and I, was certainly of the Better Together persuasion; 'this kingdom was divided into seven little kingdoms,' he said in an address to parliament, 'Is it not the stronger by their union?' But a Scottish king projecting his sense of self, and nation, and union, onto England wasn't the beginning or the end of it. Indeed, the extent of the Scottish projection or influence on England and the UK makes me wonder how surprising and provocative the idea of Britain as Scottish really is. It seems to me that it still underlines the way the United Kingdom works. Britain was Scottish and still is. Obviously, England remains the dominant partner constitutionally and politically, but even politically Britain has often been Scottish. One of the history books I've opened recently is The Wild Men by my former colleague David Torrance, which relates how Scottish the first Labour government was, but it's continued ever since with Scots often at the top of British government, and not always when it's Labour in power. The history books also tell us it was bigger than that: much of the British Empire is covered with Scottish fingerprints so not only is Britain Scottish, the British Empire is Scottish too. James VI and I (Image: Free) The signs of Scotland as Britain are more permanent as well; they're built in stone. I did a walk round Glasgow recently with Colin Drysdale, the author of Glasgow Uncovered, a book on the city's architecture, and many of the architects we talked about went way beyond Scotland and had a massive influence on England and Britain too. John James Burnet, for example, designed Glasgow's Charing Cross Mansions and lots of other fine buildings in the city. But he also worked on British icons like Selfridges and the British Museum. Visit London and look at the buildings and a lot of what you're looking at is Scottish. The projection of Scotland onto Britain is everywhere else as well, once you start to look for it. Business and trade (the vast majority of our exports are to England). Population: there are more Scots living in England than there are in any single Scottish city. And music, culture, the arts, food, drink, technology. And Lulu of course. All of it, as well as our influence on politics and government – and a Royal family that's arguably more Scottish than English – says to me that the idea of Britain as Scotland is not surprising at all. Professor Broun says it raises fundamental questions about the nature of British identity, so let me suggest an answer. The concept of Britain as Scottish isn't a distant idea in the minds of medieval scholars. It still exists, it's still real, and it's still proving how interconnected we are. And of course, it raises the eternal question, the one that bugged us then and bugs us now: how much would it cost to unravel it all?
