Rex Factor Podcast — Queen James (Gareth Russell) Released: August 15, 2025 Guest: Gareth Russell (historian and author of "Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King")

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, hosts Graham Duke and Ali Hood welcome historian and author Gareth Russell to discuss his latest book, Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King. The discussion explores King James VI and I’s dual reign, his political legacy, and especially his personal life — focusing on his relationships with men and the contemporary and modern perceptions of his sexuality. The conversation offers insight into how private and public spheres intertwined for early modern monarchs, delving into language, court culture, gender, and the lingering influence of rumor and reputation.

Key Discussion Points

1. Book Title and Historical Context

• Why “Queen James”?
  – The title references a contemporary 17th-century nickname for James, reflecting both jibes about his relationships with male favorites and his peace-oriented foreign policy.
  – In the 1620s, the London dinner-party joke was “Elizabeth was King, James was Queen,” a direct reference to James’s perceived softness and rumored homosexuality (04:39). – The U.S. edition is titled The Six Loves of James the First, not for political reasons but for clarity given the Stuarts' lower profile in American history (04:39).
  • Quote:
    "You want something that's contemporary and links to the present... Queen means many things, and Queen James was a contemporary nickname for James.” — Gareth Russell (06:17).

2. Design and Approach

• The book’s cover, featuring James’s eye from his favorite portrait, was purposefully chosen to be both “eye-catching” and reflective of the book’s intimate focus (07:48).
• Russell aimed to bridge past with present, making history resonant for modern readers.

3. James’s Sexuality: Evidence and Interpretation

• Russell argues there is overwhelming evidence of James’s romantic and sexual relationships with men — far stronger than for many other historical figures whose heterosexual affairs are broadly accepted (09:15).
  • Quote:
    "If you had letters from someone saying, I can't wait to feel your thighs in my arms again, there's no century in the world where that's platonic." — Gareth Russell (11:30).
• The historian critiques a scholarly trend of “over-qualifying” and downplaying explicit evidence of same-sex love (12:55), contrasting it with the lighter scrutiny of heterosexual rumors.

4. Language and Historical Nuance

• Discussion of fluidity and loadedness in words like "queen," "minion," and "sodomite" (13:59).
  • For example, “minion” shifted from meaning a favored courtier to one with implied sexual intimacy.
  • "Sodomite" was almost never used unless in extreme condemnation (15:12).
• Highlights challenges in translating 17th-century expressions to modern understandings of sexuality and politics.

5. James’s Formation and Character

• James’s tumultuous childhood (son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley), abusive tutor George Buchanan, and loving governess Lady Mar shaped his personality (20:11).
• Despite a strained relationship with his mother and other women, he maintained close female alliances later, notably with his wife Anne of Denmark.

6. Witchcraft and Religious Upheaval

• James’s role in the witch hunts, shifting from skepticism to fervor after being personally convinced by an alleged witch (25:31).
• Contextualized witch trials as a phenomenon of a society in flux and fear — likened to modern conspiracies (31:15).
  • Quote:
    “The lethal mistake they make in the witch hunts, which many modern conspiracies make as well, is they mistake a symptom for a cause.” — Gareth Russell (31:15).

7. James’s Misogyny and Female Relationships

• Discussed factors behind James’s sometimes negative view of women, considering his upbringing and societal norms (35:41).
• Despite intellectual misogyny, he maintained strong positive ties with several key women in his life.

8. Court Favorites: Men and Power

• Comparison of James’s male favorites and their political roles with female favorites/mistresses (41:18).
  • Criticism increased primarily when male favorites exercised political power—not merely due to their sexual orientation.
  • Memorable anecdote: A parliamentary speech using innuendo to criticize the "draining" effect of a "private cock" on royal finances (44:34).
• James started his reign with favorites kept out of politics; as his health and support system waned, favorites like Buckingham became more powerful.

9. The Death of Prince Henry

• The death of James’s eldest son had deep personal and political consequences, eliminating a popular alternative to the king and destabilizing the court (47:42).

10. James’s Romantic “Type” and Relationship Patterns

• Most of his male favorites were notably attractive and physically robust, though less intellectually gifted than James (52:09).
• The relationships ranged from brief flings to year-long affairs; James appeared to favor “proper man” types—handsome, often with fiery tempers.
  • Quote:
    “He likes someone who has a bit of a temper... They tend not to be as clever as him, generally very, very good looking.” — Gareth Russell (52:09).

11. Anne of Denmark and Rumors

• After marriage, Anne faced her own share of scandal and rumor; only one fairly solid account exists of James’s affair with a woman, Anne Murray (58:37).

12. Terminology: “Mistress,” “Favorite,” and Labels

• Debate on gendered and moralized terms, settling on "mistress" and "favorite" for clarity but with awareness of historical context and judgment (61:27).

13. Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead

• Russell remains fascinated by James, highlighting both good and bad facets.
  • Quote:
    “He is a fascinating man with a fascinating life. It’s a topic I have left with reluctance.” — Gareth Russell (63:53).
• Upcoming project: Russell is working on a book about the 1789 fall of Versailles, capturing perspectives across the political spectrum (64:41).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evidence for James’s sexuality:
  “If you do not think James was in love and sleeping with men, then you will not thank anyone before the Stonewall riots was ever drinked. The proof here is very, very strong.” — Gareth Russell (10:47)

• On euphemisms at court:
  “Why should we pay to refill this cistern when every day the King allows it to be drained by a private cock?” — Parliamentary metaphor criticizing Robert Carr’s influence (44:34)

• On James’s type:
  “He likes someone who is maybe slightly more so... but one of the things... it’s a bit like Amberlynn’s six finger. The story of James slobbering, a tongue too big... actually, all the eyewitness accounts... he’s a really strong, broad-shouldered, healthy... He’s not a fan of beards.” — Gareth Russell (52:09)

• On living history:
  “The story of the past is always written with the words of the present... You just have to be very conscious of making the story readable and accessible without sacrificing the nuances.” — Gareth Russell (18:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction to Gareth Russell and new book — 01:55
• Why the title “Queen James”? Linguistics and context — 04:39
• Evidence for James’s relationships with men — 09:15
• Language, sexuality, and contemporary terminology — 13:18
• James’s upbringing & formation — 20:11
• Witchcraft & Scottish witch trials — 25:31
• James’s attitudes towards women — 35:41
• Favorites and political influence — 41:18
• The death of Prince Henry & political fallout — 47:32
• James’s romantic ‘type’ and pattern of relationships — 52:09
• Anne of Denmark & female rumors — 58:31
• Nomenclature: “Mistress” vs “Favorite” — 61:27
• Final thoughts, future projects — 63:41

Tone and Style

• Conversational, witty, and historically astute.
• Russell is precise and engaging, unafraid of controversy but measured in judgment.
• The hosts balance insight, humor, and curiosity, creating an approachable but rich historical discussion.

For Further Listening/Reading

• Gareth Russell’s Queen James (UK title; The Six Loves of James the First in the US)
• The Rex Factor archives (see episodes on James VI/I and Anne of Denmark)
• Watch for Russell’s forthcoming book on Versailles (announcement at 64:41)

Summary:
This episode provides a nuanced, comprehensive discussion on King James VI and I, particularly the intersection of his private life and public reputation. Gareth Russell brings fresh insight and clarity to debates about James’s sexuality, challenges lazy reassurances of “just close friendships,” and addresses how both gossip and evidence shaped history. It’s essential listening for anyone interested in British royalty, LGBTQ history, or early modern politics.