The Wisest Fool

A Bold New Portrait of King James VI and I

Steven Veerapen's revisionist biography of Scotland's most underestimated king

About the Ebook

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

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Reassess the reputation of one of Britain's most complex monarchs
• Explore the politics, scholarship, and personal life of James VI and I
• Engage with fresh historical scholarship on a pivotal Stuart figure
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'Steven Veerapen's biography of James VI and I is so good that it seems likely to become the definitive work on a much‑maligned and poorly understood character.' Undiscovered Scotland

'It does not flinch from the flaws of character and errors of rule but makes a fair and compelling analysis of James the man as he struggled to become James the king — 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 and raised in Paisley. Pursuing an interest in the sixteenth century, he was awarded a first-class Honours degree in English, focussing his dissertation on representations of Henry VIII’s six wives. He is the author of The Wisest Fool: The Lavish Life of James VI and I, and lives in Glasgow.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 07 September 2023

Print Length: 432 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788856409

Format: Ebook

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access my ebook?

Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.

Can I read it online?

Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.

I can't see my ebook — what should I do?

Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.

Can I gift this ebook?

Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.