King '''James I ''' (lived 1566 to 1625) became king of England after his cousin, Queen [[Elizabeth I]] died in 1603. Formally know as James [[Stuart]], he had previously been the king of Scotland. Unlike Elizabeth, James fought with [[Parliament]] frequently. As a staunch Protestant, he introduced a number of severe laws against Catholics, thereby causing the [[Gunpowder Plot]] of 1605 led by Guy Fawkes. He also commissioned and paid for a new translation of the Bible that became known as the [[King James Version]], which has been profoundly influential ever since. In his personal life he was a homosexual, but married and fathered children in order to continue his dynasty. He is also known to have spoken with a speech impediment that caused his words to slur. He never had a bath during his entire reign, and at the very most would moisten the tips of his fingers in a bowl of water. He also ran up huge debts which were left to his son to sort out (unsuccessfully). On receipt of a suitable payment, he granted permission to the English Puritans to found a colony in America, and granted similar pernissions to tobacco companies in a different part of America. Upon his death, his son [[Charles I]] ascended to the [[Throne]]. [[Category:BiographiesUK Monarchs]]