James VI and I, the first monarch to reign over Scotland, England and Ireland, has long endured a mixed reputation. To many, he is simply the homosexual King, the inveterate witch-roaster, the smelly sovereign who never washed, the colourless man behind the authorised Bible bearing his name, or the drooling fool whose speech could barely be understood. For too long, he has paled in comparison to his more celebrated Tudor and Stuart forebears.

But who was he really? To what extent have myth, anecdote, and rumour obscured him?

In this new and ground-breaking biography, James's story is laid bare and a welter of scurrilous, outrageous assumptions penned by his political opponents put to rest. What emerges is a portrait of Elizabeth I's successor as his contemporaries knew him: a gregarious, idealistic man obsessed with the idea of family, whose personal and political goals could never match up to reality. With reference to letters, libels and state papers, it casts fresh light on the personal, domestic, international and sexual politics of this misunderstood sovereign.

'A real page-turner for lovers of history' - Philippa Gregory

About the Author

Steven Veerapen was born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and a Mauritian father. He graduated with 1st Class Honours from the University of Strathclyde and was awarded a PhD in 2014 He is currently teaching associate in English at Strathclyde. In addition to his academic work, he has also written a number of historical novels, and his crime mysteries featuring Anthony Blanke, set in Tudor England, is published by Polygon.

Reviews

'The Wisest Fool is a sensitive portrait of a king who, despite errors of judgement managed to negotiate a period of exceptional political and religious turbulence... this is a probing, wellrounded and very readable account of a king too often over-looked, despite his pivotal role in modern British politics.'

-- Rosemary Goring * Herald *

'It does not flinch from the flaws of character and errors of rule but makes a fair analysis of James the man as he struggled to become James the king ... a real page-turner for lovers of history'

-- Philippa Gregory

'Two kingdoms, two very different reputations. Veerapen brings fresh life and acute insight into the conundrum that is the reigns of King James'

-- Leanda de Lisle

'[James] was derided as "the wisest fool in Christendom" - wise in small things, but a fool when it came to weightier matters. That image has now been punctured. Not for the first time a historical parody emerges on closer inspection to be largely based on manufactured propaganda'

-- Magnus Linklater * The Times *

'Steven Veerapen's biography of James VI/I is so good that it seems likely to become the definitive work about the life of a much maligned and perhaps poorly understood character.'

* Undiscovered Scotland *

'He may not always have acted wisely during his reign, but a new biography shows that James VI and I was no fool...this is a very engaging book'

-- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *

'an extremely well-balanced account of James' character... a highly accomplished and well-written work of creative non-fiction'

* Country Life *

'It takes someone with the scholarship and narrative skills of Steven Veerapen to weave his way with through the evidence to provide a cohesive and plausible story, providing a book that will become essential reading for academics and ordinary history lovers alike'

-- Robert Stedall * Amazon Five Stars *

'A really interesting biography... a deep dive into the facts and information paints something of a different story... busts some of the false ideas and presents a better picture of this historical person'

-- Dr Miranda Melcher * Newbooks Network (British Studies) *

'Veerapen weaves a fresh and honest tapestry of James's character in all its imperfect glory. It is based on scholarly study and achieved with appropriate gravitas . . . Only by examining his time as King of Scotland can later years be fully understood - and this is expertly done'

-- Mark Turnbull * GoodReads, FIVE stars *

'Steven Veerapen has done a splendid job in bringing this neglected king and the extraordinary life he led so vividly to the page . . . Expertly researched and eminently readable'

-- Linda Porter * The Writing Desk blog *

'rescues James from the slurs and condescensions of history'

* West Highland Free Press *



Book Information
ISBN 9781780278162
Author Steven Veerapen
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint Birlinn Ltd
Publisher Birlinn General
Weight(grams) 700g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 39mm