James VI of Scotland: a British King-in-Waiting

My PhD will reassess the adult personal reign of James VI of Scotland, focussing on the decade and a half prior to 1603 when he became James VI and I of a united British kingdom. Based on archival research in national collections and diplomatic correspondence, it will provide the first modern holistic assessment of his foreign, domestic, and diplomatic policies. Another core aim of the thesis will be to re-evaluate James' personal role and agency in the process of succession to the English throne after Queen Elizabeth, and the extent to which James tactically managed his Scottish policies to achieve this.