Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: The Stewarts

The Essay: The Stewarts: Episode 1: James I

James I

Episode 1

Episode 1: James I

The Stewarts

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Stewarts, James IClose menu

Historian Dr Fiona Watson discusses the bloody comeback of James I, King of Scots.

Historian Dr Fiona Watson discusses the bloody comeback of James I King of Scots after 18 years in captivity. He brought vengeance on his uncle's family after his brother's murder.

Historian and author, Dr Fiona Watson looks at bloody comeback of James I, King of Scots (1394-1437). It's not the greatest start to life when your elder brother gets murdered in a castle dungeon by your wicked uncle, who's muscling in on your sick father, but then it only gets worse for young Prince James. While being sent to safety in France aged 12, he was kidnapped by English pirates. The very next month, his father died and the young prisoner became King of Scots, spending 18 years in captivity. A vital part of this time was spent at the court of Henry V, the victor of Agincourt. It would influence the rest of James's life, giving him fresh (and if you were one of his nobles you might say 'worrying') ideas of what a monarch should be and how a country should be run. The return of the King to Scotland would not only bring bloody vengeance upon the family of his late uncle, the Duke of Albany, but a new and energetic style of kingship. However James had tendency to take things just a bit too far... Fiona introduces one of the most powerful and controversial kings of the medieval Stewart dynasty.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Writers and historians discuss different aspects of the Stewart dynasty and their rule

Series in which writers and historians discuss different aspects of the Stewart dynasty and their rule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Essay

The Stewarts

Episode 1: James I

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3