Basilikon Doron
Encyclopedia
The Basilikon Doron is a treatise on government written by King James VI of Scotland, later King James I of England
, in 1599. Basilikon Doron (Βασιλικὸν Δῶρον) in the Greek language
means royal gift. It was written in the form of a private and confidential letter to the King's eldest son, Henry, Duke of Rothesay, born 1594. After Henry’s death in 1612, James
gave it to his second son, Charles
, born 1600, later King Charles I. Seven copies of it were printed in Edinburgh in 1599, and it was republished in London in 1603, when it sold in the thousands.
This document is separated into three books, serving as general guidelines to follow to be an efficient monarch. The first describes a king’s duty towards God as a Christian, the second focuses on the roles and responsibilities in office and the third concerns proper behaviour in the daily lifestyle.
As the first part is concerned with being a good Christian, James VI and I of Scotland and England instructed his son to love and respect God as well as to fear Him. Furthermore, it is essential to closely study the Scripture (the Bible) and especially specific books in both the Old and New Testaments. Lastly, he must pray often and always be thankful for what God has given him. All of these directions describe the behaviour of a devoted Christian.
In the second book, James encouraged his son to be a good king, as opposed to a "Tyrant", by establishing and executing laws as well as governing with justice and equality. To boost the economy, it is important to invite foreign merchants into the country and base the currency on gold and silver. According to James, a good monarch must be well acquainted with his subjects and therefore it would be wise to visit all kingdoms every three years. During war, he should choose old but good Captains to lead an army composed of young and agile soldiers. In the court and household, he should carefully select loyal gentlemen and servants to surround him. When the time would come to choose a wife, it would be best if she were of the same religion and have a generous estate. However, she must not meddle with government politics, but perform her domestic duties. As for the inheritance, to ensure stability the kingdom should be left to the eldest son, and not divided among all the children. Lastly, it is most important to James that his son would know well his own craft, which is to properly govern over his subjects. To do this, he must study the laws of his own kingdom and actively participate in the Council. Furthermore, he must be acquainted with mathematics, for military purposes, and world history, for foreign policy. These guidelines are more or less a universal model for a good ruler, which James chose to offer his son to closely study, thereby preparing himself for the throne.
The final portion of the Basilikon Doron focuses on the daily lifestyle of a monarch. For instance, James advised his son to eat meat to be strong for traveling and during war time. He must also beware not to drink and sleep excessively. Furthermore, his wardrobe should always be clean and proper and he must never allow his hair and nails to grow long. In his writing and speech, he should use honest and plain language. This last set of advice describes the basic manners every gentleman should follow, especially a king.
All of these guidelines composed a basic code of conduct to be followed by all monarchs and heads of state to rule and govern efficiently. James VI and I of Scotland and England assembled these directions as a result of his own experience and upbringing. He therefore offered the Basilikon Doron to his son with the hopes of rendering him an effective and competent ruler, and perhaps, to pass it down to future generations.
The Basilikon Doron repeats the argument for the divine right of kings
, as set out in The True Law of Free Monarchies
, which was also written by James. It too warns against "Papist
s" and derides Puritans. It advocates removing the Apocrypha
from the Bible
. The published Basilikon Doron may well have been intended to portray the king in a favourable light. James Sempill
assisted James in composing it. Robert Waldegrave, who was bound to secrecy, printed seven copies at the king's behest. Henry Taylor said that he printed it on Waldegrave's press. Richard Royston, and later William Dugard, printed further copies.
The Basilikon Doron criticises both Roman Catholics and Puritans. This is in keeping with the king’s philosophy of following a "middle path", as reflected in the preface to the 1611 King James Bible
.
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, in 1599. Basilikon Doron (Βασιλικὸν Δῶρον) in the Greek language
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
means royal gift. It was written in the form of a private and confidential letter to the King's eldest son, Henry, Duke of Rothesay, born 1594. After Henry’s death in 1612, James
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
gave it to his second son, Charles
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, born 1600, later King Charles I. Seven copies of it were printed in Edinburgh in 1599, and it was republished in London in 1603, when it sold in the thousands.
This document is separated into three books, serving as general guidelines to follow to be an efficient monarch. The first describes a king’s duty towards God as a Christian, the second focuses on the roles and responsibilities in office and the third concerns proper behaviour in the daily lifestyle.
As the first part is concerned with being a good Christian, James VI and I of Scotland and England instructed his son to love and respect God as well as to fear Him. Furthermore, it is essential to closely study the Scripture (the Bible) and especially specific books in both the Old and New Testaments. Lastly, he must pray often and always be thankful for what God has given him. All of these directions describe the behaviour of a devoted Christian.
In the second book, James encouraged his son to be a good king, as opposed to a "Tyrant", by establishing and executing laws as well as governing with justice and equality. To boost the economy, it is important to invite foreign merchants into the country and base the currency on gold and silver. According to James, a good monarch must be well acquainted with his subjects and therefore it would be wise to visit all kingdoms every three years. During war, he should choose old but good Captains to lead an army composed of young and agile soldiers. In the court and household, he should carefully select loyal gentlemen and servants to surround him. When the time would come to choose a wife, it would be best if she were of the same religion and have a generous estate. However, she must not meddle with government politics, but perform her domestic duties. As for the inheritance, to ensure stability the kingdom should be left to the eldest son, and not divided among all the children. Lastly, it is most important to James that his son would know well his own craft, which is to properly govern over his subjects. To do this, he must study the laws of his own kingdom and actively participate in the Council. Furthermore, he must be acquainted with mathematics, for military purposes, and world history, for foreign policy. These guidelines are more or less a universal model for a good ruler, which James chose to offer his son to closely study, thereby preparing himself for the throne.
The final portion of the Basilikon Doron focuses on the daily lifestyle of a monarch. For instance, James advised his son to eat meat to be strong for traveling and during war time. He must also beware not to drink and sleep excessively. Furthermore, his wardrobe should always be clean and proper and he must never allow his hair and nails to grow long. In his writing and speech, he should use honest and plain language. This last set of advice describes the basic manners every gentleman should follow, especially a king.
All of these guidelines composed a basic code of conduct to be followed by all monarchs and heads of state to rule and govern efficiently. James VI and I of Scotland and England assembled these directions as a result of his own experience and upbringing. He therefore offered the Basilikon Doron to his son with the hopes of rendering him an effective and competent ruler, and perhaps, to pass it down to future generations.
The Basilikon Doron repeats the argument for the divine right of kings
Divine Right of Kings
The divine right of kings or divine-right theory of kingship is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. It asserts that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving his right to rule directly from the will of God...
, as set out in The True Law of Free Monarchies
The True Law of Free Monarchies
The True Law of Free Monarchies; or, The Reciprocal and Mutual Duty Betwixt a Free King and His Natural Subjects is a treatise or essay of political theory by James VI of Scotland...
, which was also written by James. It too warns against "Papist
Papist
Papist is a term or an anti-Catholic slur, referring to the Roman Catholic Church, its teachings, practices, or adherents. The term was coined during the English Reformation to denote a person whose loyalties were to the Pope, rather than to the Church of England...
s" and derides Puritans. It advocates removing the Apocrypha
Apocrypha
The term apocrypha is used with various meanings, including "hidden", "esoteric", "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", ancient Chinese "revealed texts and objects" and "Christian texts that are not canonical"....
from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. The published Basilikon Doron may well have been intended to portray the king in a favourable light. James Sempill
James Sempill
Sir James Sempill was the son of John Sempill of Beltrees, and Mary Livingston, one of the "Four Marys", companions of Mary, Queen of Scots.-Life:...
assisted James in composing it. Robert Waldegrave, who was bound to secrecy, printed seven copies at the king's behest. Henry Taylor said that he printed it on Waldegrave's press. Richard Royston, and later William Dugard, printed further copies.
The Basilikon Doron criticises both Roman Catholics and Puritans. This is in keeping with the king’s philosophy of following a "middle path", as reflected in the preface to the 1611 King James Bible
King James Version of the Bible
The Authorized Version, commonly known as the King James Version, King James Bible or KJV, is an English translation of the Christian Bible by the Church of England begun in 1604 and completed in 1611...
.
Further reading
- James Craigie, ed., The Basilikon Doron of King James VI. Edinburgh & London: William Blackwood & sons ltd, 1950.
- Daniel Fischlin & Mark Fortier, ed. The True Law of Free Monarchies and Basilikon Doron. By James VI/I. Toronto: Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 1996.
- James Doelman. «‘A king of thine own heart’: the English Reception of King James VI and I’s Basilikon Doron», Seventeenth Century 9, 1 (1994), p. 1-9.