James I and the King James Bible

When Elizabeth I died in 1603, her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England, Wales and Ireland — though Scotland remained a separate country. One major achievement of his reign was a new English translation of the Bible, known as the King James Version (1611) or Authorised Version. It is still used in many Protestant churches today. James believed in the 'Divine Right of Kings' — the idea that the king was appointed by God.