Portrait of James I of England
James I of England, son of the unfortunate Maria Stuarda and Lord Darnley , is considered one of the most educated and enlightened rulers in British history.
Successor of Elizabeth I, became king on 25 July 1603 in Westminster Abbey.
Brilliant and eclectic personality, Giacomo gave great propulsion to the spread of art and he himself ventured as a poet and writer in the drafting of works of various kinds.
He translated the Bible, excellently still known as the King James Bible , the only one admitted by the Anglican Church.
Popular in Scotland, much less in England where, objectively, he made political mistakes of no small importance, one aspect of his life was never forgiven: homosexuality .
The sexual identity of the monarch, in reality, is not certain, but the sources and testimonies, starting with some private letters, actually suggest that James preferred men to women.
All legitimate and normal of course, but not in the 17th century society, which did not look favorably on homosexuals.
Among the common people as well as in the higher spheres, the king was therefore the object of ridicule.
Ironic jokes and vitriolic comments came from all over.
A very famous epigram circulating at the time of the accession to the throne: Elizabeth was king:she is now Queen James ( Photo from :alamy.it).