Historian Gareth Russell, originally from Belfast, explores the life and loves of King James in a new documentary. However, the documentary’s title might be a little misleading.
As a film buff, I recently learned something fascinating while researching historical dramas. Apparently, when people talked about the monarch who ruled for a total of 57 years, they sometimes called them ‘Queen James’. It was a really nasty nickname, sadly, because it played on rumors about King James VI and I having close, and often powerful, relationships with men. It’s a stark reminder of how history can be twisted and how personal lives were often used to attack powerful figures.
The one-hour film explores the life and loves of King James I, based on author Russell’s research for his book, Queen James. It focuses on the king’s close, same-sex relationships, particularly his affair with Robert Carr, which ultimately led to a shocking murder trial.
How much of the story surrounding King James is actually true? And was he truly one of the earliest openly LGBTQ+ monarchs? TopMob spoke with Gareth Russell to explore the king’s life, lasting impact, and relevance today.
How did you first come to research this point in history?
I wrote a book titled The Palace about Hampton Court. The idea was to tell the palace’s history through individual chapters, each focusing on a different room, person, and decade.
James and his wife, Anne of Denmark, spent considerable time at Hampton Court Palace, inspiring three chapters focused on their lives there. While researching those chapters, I uncovered many fascinating details about James and Anne, but much of it didn’t directly relate to events at the palace. It became clear that significant parts of their story were still missing.
When deciding on my next book, I kept thinking about James and his story. It wasn’t really planned – I started researching at Hampton Court, then focused on James, realizing there were some unanswered questions, but believing I could find a way to explore them.
I hadn’t used certain letters or explored all possible angles, so James came about through a combination of chance and wanting a compelling story. I think the events of the previous book also played a role in creating the character.
What do most people know King James for?
He’s best known either as the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, or as the king who followed Elizabeth I in England. Those familiar with his life also know he was the subject of rumors about relationships with men.
King James is best known for two things: ordering the creation of the King James Bible in 1604, and for being a strong supporter of the witch hunts that were common at the time. These – the Bible and the witch hunts – are what he’s most remembered for.
Many people have different opinions about this ruler. Based on your research, what do you believe is the true story of their life and reign?
He has a vibrant and unique personality with diverse interests, making him difficult to define – and that’s precisely what made writing about him so enjoyable, and why readers connect with him.
I always considered him a remarkably intelligent and thoughtful person who genuinely loved reading. While stories suggest he was often ill, that was mostly true towards the end of his life. He was actually very active and enjoyed sports, particularly football and horseback riding. Ultimately, he was a deeply complex and troubled individual.
As a film buff, what really strikes me about this character is his backstory. He experienced so much hardship growing up – real violence as a kid, and then the betrayal of being kidnapped by people he trusted at sixteen. It’s like he was deeply damaged before he even had a chance to fully develop as a person. Because of that, when he does connect with someone, it’s incredibly intense; he throws himself into love completely, and it takes over his entire world.
He was a wonderfully complex person – a mix of insecurity, over-the-top behavior, and a tendency to be difficult. This fascinating combination of traits made him incredibly engaging to be around for over two years.
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It seems like the details of his life have been softened or simplified over time, both in classrooms and everyday discussions. I’m curious why some parts of his story aren’t usually talked about.
Around two hundred years after his death, most people began to acknowledge his relationships with men. However, by the 18th century, he was largely remembered as a poor ruler – either as an underwhelming successor to Elizabeth I, or as someone whose actions ultimately led to the civil war that impacted his son’s reign.
Many people believed accusations about James’s personal life – specifically regarding his sexuality – were simply another tactic in a long-running effort to discredit him by questioning his abilities. Later, as these letters became widely available, they were considered definitive historical evidence. However, throughout the 20th century, there was reluctance to delve deeply into the private lives of political figures, with some fearing it would diminish the seriousness of their historical study.
As a critic, I’ve been following the debate around King James for a while now. There are those who argue we simply can’t know his sexuality definitively, pointing to a lack of concrete proof. Others go further, suggesting he was asexual just to avoid acknowledging any same-sex attraction – it’s almost as if they feel discussing it diminishes him. What I see is a long history of protecting James’ image. For over a century and a half, scholars and admirers have downplayed or ignored his homosexuality, wanting to present him as a ‘serious’ king. But the idea that evidence is flimsy just isn’t true; there’s actually quite a bit out there supporting these claims. It’s time we acknowledge the full picture, rather than sanitizing history.
James’s time as ruler was marked by a close connection between his political actions and personal relationships. By examining those relationships, what can we discover about him as a person and leader?
Watching the documentary, especially as it covers his later years, you really see how much his personal life and political role were connected. By then, he was a very confident king, but I think he always wrestled with whether the men he loved actually loved him, or just the idea of him – James Stewart, the celebrity, or the king himself. It’s a surprisingly relatable insecurity, honestly; it feels timeless.
What’s particularly striking is that James could document his personal life so thoroughly because of his status. While this isn’t surprising, it powerfully highlights the countless men and women throughout history who loved like he did but couldn’t leave behind similar records – for many different reasons. He brings to mind all those hidden love stories from the past, reminding us that love often finds a way to be known. Ultimately, I find his story both inspiring and deeply touching.
While investigating his life, did you rely solely on his letters for information?
The letters were incredibly useful. While the more explicit ones confirmed something I suspected, it was the deeply loving and emotional letters that truly showed how strongly he felt.
Visiting places connected to his life, like the architecture of where he lived, was particularly insightful. Stirling Castle, where he grew up, was amazing because it really showed both the luxury he experienced and the deliberate efforts to protect and isolate him – the castle’s location was clearly chosen for his safety, almost like a secure compound.
Visiting locations like Hampton Court Palace and Apethorpe Palace – where we filmed – really brought things to life. You could see how they designed the spaces, including rooms for both Henry VIII and his mistress, connecting them with hidden passages. They even blocked up windows to conceal candlelight moving between the rooms at night! Studying the actual physical layout of where he lived was a hugely valuable resource, and it created a much more powerful image than just reading letters.
Could James be considered one of the first openly queer monarchs?
It’s worth noting King Edward II, who reigned in the early 1300s. He was clearly deeply in love with the Earl of Cornwall, a relationship that ended tragically with the Earl’s murder. While it’s hard to say for sure how his feelings compare to James I’s, Edward II is a strong contender. Unfortunately, very few letters from Edward remain, so our understanding of his affection comes primarily through historical accounts written by others.
When it comes to historical monarchs who openly expressed their feelings and left behind clear evidence of same-sex attraction, I believe King James stands out as the first. We have a wealth of letters—preserved by his opponents, interestingly enough—that demonstrate not just romantic love, but a full spectrum of affection, including sexual desire. He’s the first ruler who truly shows us the complexities of being queer, and that’s why I think he deserves that recognition.
Don’t miss ‘Queen James: Passion, Plots and Power,’ a new show about Britain’s first king. It premieres on BBC Two this Thursday, June 18th at 9pm, and you can already watch it on iPlayer.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.
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2026-06-17 19:09