24 mars 1603 - Union of the Crowns

Description:

When Elizabeth I of England died in 1603 unmarried and childless, her royal position went to her cousin King James VI of Scotland. This meant that both kingdoms now had the same ruler, although they continued as two separate states.

Sir Peter Paul Ruben's 1634 painting of this event can be seen in full here: https://www.rct.uk/collection/408417/the-union-of-the-crowns-of-england-and-scotland

The following description of the painting can also be found on the above website:
"The King, who as James VI had ruled Scotland since 1567, and as James I of England from 1603, is shown enthroned, wearing a crown and parliamentary robes. Holding the orb in his left hand, he leans forward to instruct Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, to join the crowns of England and Scotland. A naked child, symbolising the newly-born union, is supported on either side by the personfications of the two kingdoms. The figure of the child, originally conceived to represent Cupid, was later altered to represent James's grandson, the future Charles II, who is depicted as 'Prince of Great Britain'. Against a magnificent architectural domed background, winged cherubs bear the jointed arms kingdoms united under the Stuart dynasty."

What does this tell us about peace?
As a Flemish artist and diplomat, Sir Paul Reuben's depiction of the union of crowns is a positive outlook on the union of two nations. He focuses on King James as an individual who maintains the difficult position of looking after two separate nations and controlling them in harmony. The Union ultimately came from personal circumstances, so it is no surprise that this painting is also personal, representing peace as a royal duty.

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