James VI and I | Document signed, to the Earl Marischal, on the union of the kingdoms, 2 January 1605

King James VI and I

Letter signed ("James R"), to George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal

complaining of his "juste caus of offence" at the Earl's absence from "this last meeting and treatte of the comissioners of bothe our realmes of england & scotland for an union betwix the two kingdomes", in Scots, 1 page, folio, integral address leaf, Whitehall, 2 January [1605], docketed, torn with loss (about 10 words supplied in pen and ink facsimile), seal tear, creased

The accession of King James VI as King James I of Scotland brought about the union of the Scottish and English crowns, but the kingdoms remained distinct legal and administrative entities. The new King liked to style himself King of Great Britain and was keen to bring about a union of his kingdoms, so he established a Union Commission on both sides of the border to work out terms for a legal union. This project met with little support on either side of the border - as is suggested, indeed, by the Earl Marischal's absence from meetings - and the Instrument of Union was rejected by the Westminster Parliament in 1607.