James I was the first monarch of both England and Scotland, ruling from 1603 to 1625. He was born in Scotland and became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. James is known for uniting the two kingdoms and commissioning the King James Version of the Bible, which is still widely used today. During his reign, James faced various challenges, including political conflicts and the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where a group of conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords. Despite these issues, he is remembered for promoting peace and stability, as well as his interest in the arts and literature.