Recommended read
James VI and I
Jenny Wormald
The Oxford monarchs life, sharp, authoritative, and essential for both Scotland and England.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Jahangir I
Mughal Empire
1605–1627
Ahmed I
Ottoman Empire
1603–1617
James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1625
Philip III of Spain
Spain
1598–1621
Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1620
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1556–1605
Tokugawa Hidetada
Japan (Shogunate)
1605–1623
Philip III of Spain
Portugal
1598–1621
Pope Paul V
Papacy
1605–1621
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Japan (Shogunate)
1603–1605
Emperor Go-Mizunoo
Japan
1611–1629
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1632
Louis XIII of France
France
1610–1617; 1617–1643
Henry IV of France
France
1589–1610
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1576–1612
Emperor Go-Yōzei
Japan
1586–1611
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1612–1619
Tianqi Emperor
China
1620–1627
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1619–1637
Osman II
Ottoman Empire
1618–1622
Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665
Charles IX of Sweden
Sweden
1604–1611
Murad IV
Ottoman Empire
1623–1640
Philip IV of Spain
Portugal
1621–1640
Mustafa I
Ottoman Empire
1617–1618; 1622–1623
Pope Gregory XV
Papacy
1621–1623
Tokugawa Iemitsu
Japan (Shogunate)
1623–1651
Pope Clement VIII
Papacy
1592–1605
Pope Urban VIII
Papacy
1623–1644
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Go deeper on James VI and I
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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