A study of the middle-rank administrators in the government of King James VI of Scotland, 1580-1603
The study examines the most active officers of state and privy councillors, exclusive of earls, who constituted James VI's Scottish governments between 1580 and 1603. Using prevailing but sometimes conflicting ideas that James VI's servitors were a class of 'new men' or 'noblesse de robe' who transformed traditional government and administration in Scotland, this work is a systematic comparison of these men in respect of their social, cultural and economic environments and backgrounds. They are also compared and contrasted in terms of how James VI both employed and rewarded their services to the crown. Based on this survey, James VI's most active servitors are shown to be noblemen entitled to participate in Scottish political life by virtue of their social rank. This suggests that prevailing concepts of 'new men' or a 'noblesse de robe' are not wholly appropriate terms to describe James VI's administrators. Fundamental to this study is how James VI selected, directed and used the skills of his servitors, concentrating on whether his practices in using political servitors conform to the ideas he expressed in Basilikon Doron. Based on this survey, James VI was far more traditional in selecting and employing
Zulager, Ried R.
Scotland
A study of the middle-rank administrators in the government of King James VI of Scotland, 1580-1603. The study examines the most active officers of state and privy councillors, exclusive of earls, who constituted James VI's Scottish governments between 1580 and 1603. Using prevailing but sometimes conflicting ideas that James VI's servitors were a class of 'new men' or 'noblesse de robe' who transformed traditional government and administration in Scotland, this work is a systematic comparison of these men in respect of their social, cultural and economic environments and backgrounds. They are also compared and contrasted in terms of how James VI both employed and rewarded their services to the crown. Based on this survey, James VI's most active servitors are shown to be noblemen entitled to participate in Scottish political life by virtue of their social rank. This suggests that prevailing concepts of 'new men' or a 'noblesse de robe' are not wholly appropriate terms to describe James VI's administrators. Fundamental to this study is how James VI selected, directed and used the skills of his servitors, concentrating on whether his practices in using political servitors conform to the ideas he expressed in Basilikon Doron. Based on this survey, James VI was far more traditional in selecting and employing
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