|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| You are in: National Portrait Gallery | Search the collection | 17th Century | Room 4 | |||||||||
 |
|
Room 4 The Jacobean Court With the death of Elizabeth I in 1603 the Tudor monarchy came to an end. James VI of Scotland, great grand-son of Henry VIII's sister Margaret, succeeded to the English throne, becoming James I of England. The Stuart family was to reign in England for over a century, overseeing great achievements but also civil strife on an unprecedented scale. James I was a peace-loving, scholarly king with a love of hunting and of theology. However it is his passion for his favourites, particularly the Duke of Buckingham, for which he is more often remembered, and the money and honours he showered on these men contributed significantly to his unpopularity. His clumsy handling of Parliament, accumulation of debts and fervent belief in the God-given powers of monarchy or the 'Divine Right of Kings' provided a legacy for his second son and heir, Charles I, which contributed to his eventual downfall. Cultural life at the Jacobean court was dominated by James's queen Anne of Denmark, and by his elder son Henry, Prince of Wales. Both were enthusiastic patrons of painting and architecture and the Queen's support of the court masque, an elaborate testament involving acting, music and dancing, often with spectacular sets and costumes, became an important dramatic form. Portraits on display |
|
home | search the collection | what's on? | about the gallery | visitor information | npg around the country | search the website education | research | publications | picture library | gift & bookshop | membership | sponsorship | venue hire | press |
||
All images and text are subject to copyright
protection. 04 December 2008 |
||
|
Comments and suggestions National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE. Tel: 020 7306 0055 |
