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James I Responsibilities

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Primary source study: James I and his reciprocal duties towards his subjects
Throughout the reign of James I in the 17th century he has been depicted as a king who has oppressed his subjects. In the work True Law of Free Monarchies James I displays the relationship between the subjects and himself. He distinguishes a hierarchy within his nation discussing that the monarch has many obligations to support the greater good of the people. With these responsibilities the people also have certain duties that reciprocate. Essentially God, the king and his subjects work collectively to produce a functioning society. Throughout this paper it will be argued that James I is misunderstood by his contemporaries, he in fact demonstrates his best interest in his nation through his moral obligations, unifying the nation and limitations of his power.
In the work True Law of Free Monarchies James I continuously shows his obligation to the greater good of his nation. He often refers to biblical passages, the law of nature and the common law to justify his decisions as king. This is done to prove his loyalty and divinity to his subjects. James I states, “By the law of nature the King becomes a naturall Father to all his Lieges at his Coronation. And as the father of his fatherly duty is bound to care for the nourishing, education and virtuous government of his children: even so is the King bound to care for all his subjects.” (3). This argument is brought fourth to prove that the King is emotionally tied to his people, he is willing to guide them in the best …show more content…

The lack of reciprocation and mutual respect between James I and the people of England transformed into chaos leading us to believe that James I must take all the blame, but perhaps he was a misunderstood king facing the obstacle of his beloved nation turning against

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