Struggles Between James and the Kirk
Effort of James to control the Kirk
The Efforts of the Kirk to Maintain its independence
The Outcome of the Attempts of James to Control the Kirk by 1603, and the relative stability achieved
Morton became regent in 1572 and put in place a series of concessions. For example in 1570 breaking the Sabbath became a punishable crime, additionally anyone caught swearing was fined by 1581.
A leading Presbyterian, Lord Ruthven fought back against the changes in the Crown's approach towards Catholicism. Ruthven kidnapped James VI in 1581 and forced Esme Stewart to return to France. James escaped captivity in 1581 and with the help of his chancellor passed the "Black Acts"
In the 1570s the Kirk had to deal with a shortage of clergy, lack of income, and the threat of a Catholic counter reformation. The Second Book of Discipline by Andrew Melville (1578) set out the vision for a Presbyterian Kirk and called for further reform of the Kirk.
The Second Book of Discipline set out the structure of the new Presbyterian Kirk. It led to regular meetings of ministers in groups of 10-20 parishes that soon became Presbyteries. In 1581, there were 13 Presbyteries, each looking after a region of Scotland. At Parish level each Kirk session was in effect a court. Presbyteries were higher courts, and the General Assembly was the highest court. They had powers over all moral matters. This made the church virtually independent from the secular government.
The King would not tolerate open criticism. For example, although James invited ministers to address him privately, the Kirk realised that this was because James would not tolerate public criticism.
The Negative Confession. In 1580 James VI signed a document called the "Negative Confession", which strongly denounced all Catholic practices.
The Kirk began to publicly criticise James VI from the pulpit. In October 1596 David Black, a minister from St Andrews, was accused of treason for delivering a sermon which seemed designed to stir up unrest against James. Black refused this allegation and was supported by representatives of the General assembly. James then ordered the representatives to leave Edinburgh.
James VI demanded in 1587 that the General Assembly punish two Kirk ministers who had refused to pray for the soul of his mother Mary (Queen of Scots) before she had been executed in February.
James VI also demanded that the General Assembly reverse their decision to excommunicate the Catholic Earl of Fintry. The General Assembly ignored these demands.
James VI then appointed Robert Montgomery as Archbishop of Glasgow, ignoring the objections of the Presbyterians. A leading Presbyterian noble, Lord Ruthven, fought back kidnapping James VI in 1581 and forcing Esmé Stewart to return to France. James VI escaped from captivity in 1582, and with the help of his chancellor, the earl of Arran, the ‘Black Acts’ were passed through parliament in 1584.
James VI escaped from captivity in 1582, and with the help of his chancellor, the earl of Arran, the ‘Black Acts’ were passed through parliament in 1584. They black acts:
-asserted the right of the King to control the Church
-denounced presbyteries
-reaffirmed the power of bishops
General Assemblies of the Kirk between 1586 and 1589 repeatedly called for James VI to take action against Catholic nobles and Jesuit missionaries. James VI ignored these demands.
In June 1592, the Scottish Parliament passed some laws which were later nicknamed the ‘Golden Act’. This allowed presbyteries to be formed and seemed to be an attempt by James to please the Presbyterians however it did not reduce the power of the Monarch.
In February, the Protestant earl of Moray was murdered by the Catholic Earl of Huntly’s men, but James VI did not punish Huntly. This led to the General Assembly meeting in May and once again demanding that James VI take more action against Catholics.
In 1597 Andrew Melville was deposed as rector of St Andrews and in 1600 James VI appointed three bishops to parliament.
James VI believed in the divine right of monarchs to rule. In The Trew Law of Free Monarchies (1598) James VI set out his view that since monarchs were ordained by God no human institutions could restrain a monarch’s powers. He believed that tyrants must be endured as they are imposed by God, and God alone can punish tyrants.
Basilikon Doron is a book about government written by James VI in 1599 to provide advice for his eldest son, Henry, on how to be a successful king. The book sets out general guidelines on how to be an effective monarch:
-the first section describes a king’s duty towards God as a Christian
-the second section focuses on the roles and responsibilities in office
-the third section concerns proper behaviour in daily lifestyle.
James called two General Assemblies in 1597 – in Perth in February and in Dundee in May. At these assemblies James asserted his authority by choosing pro-crown ministers to lead the Assembly, and James attended every Assembly held from 1597 until he left for England in 1603.
James VI recognised as the head of the church in Scotland. The General Assemblies met in 1598, 1600, 1601 and were all dominated by moderate protestants who were willing for James to take the lead.
Monarch had the power to say where and when General Assemblies would meet. For example James VI insisted that the General Assembly should meet in Perth or Aberdeen, where he could expect more support from the ministers present.
Bishops appointed by the Crown were retained. For example in 1600 James VI appointed three bishops to parliament.
Presbyteries were allowed to operate. For example the Golden Act (1592) recognised the recovery of Presbyteries influence within the Kirk.
Hard-line Presbyterians, especially Andrew Melville, were side lined as his power and influence declined. For example, In 1597 Andrew Melville was deposed as rector of St Andrews.
General Assemblies were now dominated by more moderate Protestants. Hardliners such as Andrew Melville were excluded from the General Assembly and the General Assemblies that met in 1598, 1600, 1601 and 1602 were all dominated by moderate Protestants who were willing to let James take the lead.
The Crown and the Kirk now started to work with each other and not oppose one another. For example at the 1590 General Assembly James VI made a speech praising the kirk which won him a 15 minute standing ovation:
James appointed suspected Catholics to high office. For example, in 1596 James appointed a team of eight financial administrators nicknamed the "Octavians", to sort out the crown finances. Many, such as the new Chancellor Alexander Seaton, were suspected of having Catholic sympathies.
The Kirk began to publicly criticise James VI from the pulpit in 1596. For example, David Black. a St. Andrews minister was accused of delivering a sermon designed to rile up anti-James sentiment.