Following the death of Queen Elizabeth I on 24 March 1603, the English throne passed to her cousin, James VI of Scotland. As the great-grandson of Henry VII, James held the strongest hereditary claim to the English crown, marking the end of the Tudor dynasty and the beginning of the Stuart era. His accession was a pivotal moment in British history, effectively uniting the two realms under a single monarch for the first time.

Despite this personal union of the crowns, the two nations remained distinct and sovereign entities. Throughout his reign, James I maintained separate parliaments, legal systems, and administrative structures for both England and Scotland. This arrangement created a complex political landscape, as the King sought to govern two kingdoms that retained their own unique identities, religious traditions, and historical grievances.

The transition of power was largely peaceful, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the succession that had persisted during the final years of Elizabeth's reign. By establishing a single royal line across the island of Great Britain, James laid the groundwork for the eventual political integration of the two countries, although the path toward a formal union would remain fraught with challenges for his successors.

• The death of Elizabeth I ended the Tudor line and brought the Stuart dynasty to the English throne.
• James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England, creating a personal union of the two crowns.
• England and Scotland continued to function as legally separate kingdoms with their own parliaments.
• The accession marked the start of the Stuart period in British history.