James I of England: The King who Loved his Cats and his Males

James I of England, also known as James VI of Scotland, was a monarch renowned for his love for felines and his affection for handsome young men. He inherited the thrones of both England and Scotland from his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, who was unfortunately executed before he could even know her. James’s reign was characterized by lavish spending on his hobbies, as well as his penchant for conflict with the Parliament.

The King and his Cats

Let’s talk about the more important topic here: the king’s cats. James I was perhaps the biggest cat lover of all monarchs. He was once rumored to have had a feline zoo with over 200 cats meowing and purring under his roof. James even believed that the quality of his life improved in direct proportion to the number of cats he possessed. His favorite cat was a giant, black feline named Archibald, who James truly believed could talk to him. Although James was constantly reminded of the depression among the people of his kingdom during the Black Plague, he was more worried about the poor condition of his cats. However, it is strongly suggested he was worried about something else, too.

The King and his “Favorites”

Let’s just say that the king’s attraction to men was never a secret. James loved his “favorites” – handsome young men whose charm and attractiveness won him over. He had a reputation for showering these young men with riches and fancy dresses. James even wrote poetry on the subject of male love, masquerading as Platonic friendships, in order to avoid exposure.

One of James’s favorites was Robert Carr, whose youth and good looks caught the king’s eye. James showered him with gifts and favours, and it even gained Carr peerage. Another one was the handsome George Villiers, who was elevated from a commoner to the rank of Duke of Buckingham within a few years.

The King and the Parliament

James I also had a history of conflicting with the Parliament, just like any other king of his era. He despised the idea of sharing power with the Parliament and felt entitled to rule arbitrarily. In fact, he once said, “The kings are not bound to give account of their actions but to God alone”. This obstinacy led to tension between the king and his subjects, culminating in the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, a failed attempt to assassinate James and the Parliament.

Legacy of James I

James I passed away in 1625, leaving behind a legacy of extravagance and conflicted desires. His fondness for cats and his “favorites” became the subject of jest in literature and theatre. We can’t help but imagine what his kingdom would have been like if he had devoted as much attention to good governance as he did to his cats and his “favorites”. But on the other hand, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of laughing at history and learning about people who were just as flawed as we are.