Chapter XVII: Reign of James I

The Stuart Dynasty--Hopes and Fears caused by the Accession of
James--The King enters England--His Progress to London--Lavish
Creation of Peers and Knights--The Royal Entrance into the
Metropolis--The Coronation--Popularity of Queen Anne--Ravages
of the Plague--The King Receives Foreign Embassies--Rivalry
of the Diplomatists of France and Spain--Discontent of
Raleigh, Northumberland, and Cobham--Conspiracies against
James--"The Main" and "The Bye"--Trials of the Conspirators--The
Sentences--Conference with Puritans--Parliament of
1604--Persecution of Catholics and Puritans--Gunpowder
Plot--Admission of Fresh Members--Delays and Devices--The
Letter to Lord Mounteagle--Discovery of the Plot--Flight of the
Conspirators--Their Capture and Execution--New Penal Code--James's
Correspondence with Bellarmine--Cecil's attempts to get
Money--Project of Union between England and Scotland--The King's
Collisions with Parliament--Insurrection of the Levellers--Royal
Extravagance and Impecuniosity--Fresh Disputes with Parliament and
Assertions of the Prerogative--Death of Cecil--Story of Arabella
Stuart--Death of Prince Henry 404