Gareth Russell, Queen James

Historian and broadcaster, Gareth Russell, will explore the life and loves of Britain’s first King. James Stuart did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly. This groundbreaking book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history.

‘A warts and all story told with compassion’ – Philippa Gregory

This event will include an audience Q&A and after the event there will be an opportunity to get your book signed by Gareth.

Sunday 29th June, 4.00pm
Venue: Layer Marney Tower, Near Colchester, CO5 9US
Tickets: £14 (includes entrance to Layer Marney Tower and gardens)
Box Office: essexbookfestival.org.uk or Mercury Theatre 01206 573948

This event is part of our History Books day at Layer Marney Tower. Built as a statement house by Henry, 1st Lord Marney, Henry VIII’s Lord Privy Seal, in the 1520s, Layer Marney Tower is one of the jewels in the Essex ‘crown’. And, as such, the perfect venue for The History Books.

Make a day of it. Explore the UK’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse and stunning gardens for free with your Essex Book Festival ticket.

Find out more about The History Books Day at essexbookfestival.org.uk/the-history-books-2025/.

The History Books Ticket Deal – £14 per event or all 3 events for £36
Discount automatically applied at checkout when tickets for all 3 events are booked:

12.00pm – Paul French, Her Lotus Year
2.00pm – S.J. Parris, Traitor’s Legacy
4.00pm – Gareth Russell, Queen James

Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King

James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly.

He fell in love three times – once with George Villiers, ‘the handsomest man in the whole world’ – and he was infatuated three more times – including with a Highland earl and an English spy. We have so much on the six wives of Henry VIII, why not the six loves of James I?

This groundbreaking new book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history.

Beginning with the brutal and mysterious murder of his father in 1567, James’s life encompassed kidnapping, witchcraft trials, torture, his mother’s beheading, poison, political radicalism, religious fundamentalism, a queen’s alleged abortion, passionate sex, strong love, stronger hate, espionage, brothels, and a decade-long love affair that ended in assassination.

It is unquestionably one of the most gripping stories in British history, retold in Gareth Russell’s Queen James with scholarship, biographical insight and wit.

Order a copy of Queen James by Gareth Russell from the Essex Book Festival online bookshop at bookshop.org

‘Gareth Russell cannot write an uninteresting book and this study of the heir to Elizabeth I describes the orphaned boy and lonely youth to better understand the troubled man he became. James is that most interesting of men – one whose best acts contribute to his own destruction. It is a warts and all story told with compassion’ – Phillipa Gregory

‘Books like this don’t come along very often. Told with Gareth Russell’s characteristic verve and exquisite eye for detail, it is a story so compelling and surprising that it feels as if it has been hiding in plain sight for 400 years. A stunning achievement and a must for history fans everywhere.’ – Tracy Borman, Chief Historian Historic Royal

Gareth Russell

Photo of Gareth Russell credit Jake Douglas

Gareth Russell is an historian and broadcaster. His books include Young and Damned and Fair, The Ship of Dreams, Do Let’s Have Another Drink and The Palace. He is the host of the podcast Single Malt History with Gareth Russell and he divides his time between Belfast and London.