cal theory, a majority of his works be they poetry or non-fiction, focus on the Divine Right of kingship. One of James’ best poems is a sonnet that opens the Basilikon Doron, a book he wrote to instruct his son Prince Henry in “Manners, morals and the ways of kingship” (James 1).
James’ works of poetry and writings on the Divine Right of kingship were often used to reinforce his political authority and political agenda. This was true of his translation of the Bible into English as it was of his political writings like his speech A Trew Law of Free Monarchies. In this work, James attempts to explain the reciprocity and mutual duty that exists between a free king and his natural subjects. We see in this work that James holds the Divine Right and absolute power of kingship in the highest esteem. However, we also see that he foreshadows democratic principles of a kind when he explains why, though a king may BE the law, he should only utilize it to support the health of the commonwealth. As James wrote, “For albeit it be true, that I have at length proved, that the King is above the law as both the author and giver of strength thereto, yet a good King will not only delight to rule his subjects by the law, but even will conform himself in his own actions thereunto; always keeping that ground, that the health of the commonwealth be his chief law” (James 1).
Many other writings by James were an attempt to reinforce the authority of his kingship. James ruled in perilous times and suffered prejudice for his Scottish heritage, despite his significant popularity among the people. Even when James wrote poetry it was used primarily as a form of propaganda to support his own views on everything from religion to kingship. The Divine Right of kingship was critical in James’ worldview. In his Basiliko
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