James VI was the King of Scotland from 1567 and later became James I of England in 1603, uniting the crowns of both nations. He was the first monarch to rule over both England and Scotland, marking the beginning of the Stuart dynasty in England. His reign is noted for the establishment of the King James Version of the Bible, which remains influential today. Born in 1567, James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. His early life was marked by political turmoil, but he eventually became a strong ruler. James promoted the arts and scholarship, and his reign is often associated with the flourishing of English literature, including the works of William Shakespeare.