The Favourites of James I and their impact

on the King’s home and foreign policy The pantheon of British queens and kings ranges from glorious monarchs, who were the builders of the British Empire to helpless rulers under whose reign England lost its vast land possessions and much of its prestige. Similarly, British history encompasses such sovereigns as Henry I (1100-1135) who was an advocate of justice as well as cruel tyrants the like of William Rufus (1087-1100). Examples of extremes abound in all aspects of monarchical life, not to forget the proclivity of the British royalty to indulge in a broad range of sexual activities. From the Norman Conquest to the present day, there have been a significant number of heterosexual kings who failed to remain faithful to their wives and sought lust and/or compassion outside their marital vows. At the opposite pole of man’s sexuality, British history records many rulers who were distinctly homosexual and often, in spite o