Alexander Courtney
@dralexcourtney.bsky.social
#Earlymodern historian | FRHistS | IHR Fellow
📚James VI, Britannic Prince (Routledge, 2024) | James VI & I: Kingship, Government & Religion (2025) | Co-editor: Mary Queen of Scots’ Lost Letters (forthcoming, Routledge)
https://bio.site/alexandercourtney
📚James VI, Britannic Prince (Routledge, 2024) | James VI & I: Kingship, Government & Religion (2025) | Co-editor: Mary Queen of Scots’ Lost Letters (forthcoming, Routledge)
https://bio.site/alexandercourtney
BBC Two tonight at 9 (and on iPlayer)… A little cameo for Basilikon Doron and @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
BBC Two tonight at 9 (and on iPlayer)… A little cameo for Basilikon Doron and @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
Happy Powder Treason Night!
#earlymodern
A pleasure to speak on Mary Stuart’s secret letters on BBC Radio Scotland this morning (though briefly).
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
October 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
A pleasure to speak on Mary Stuart’s secret letters on BBC Radio Scotland this morning (though briefly).
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Listen to The Sunday Show from 1:27:50 onwards.
See the English language version of the documentary on BBC iPlayer & BBC Two Mon 21 Oct at 9pm.
@labnf.bsky.social
#History #Stuarts #Tudors
Tonight, 9pm on BBC Scotland & Monday 20/10, 9pm on BBC Two: ‘The Secret Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots’.
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
October 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Tonight, 9pm on BBC Scotland & Monday 20/10, 9pm on BBC Two: ‘The Secret Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots’.
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Featuring some lovely shots of @selwyn1882.bsky.social and a word or two from me about my friends George, Norbert and Satoshi’s phenomenal discovery.
#StuartSaturday #earlymodern
Most watched 🥳
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
October 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Most watched 🥳
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
‘Marie Stuart: l’énigme des lettres codées’ @artefr.bsky.social
#earlymodern #renaissance #monarchy #history
It’s wonderful public interest in James VI & I’s life and reign is rising, AND that readers can turn to several new books about him.📚
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
September 14, 2025 at 11:07 AM
It’s wonderful public interest in James VI & I’s life and reign is rising, AND that readers can turn to several new books about him.📚
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
Here are Steven Veerapen, Clare Jackson, Steven Reid and me discussing our man; Laura Stewart chairing.
#Stuarts #KingJames400 #History #Tudors #earlymodern
James VI of Scotland became Elizabeth’s successor peacefully and was welcomed into England, people’s ‘eyes flaming nothing but sparks of affection’ towards him (as he put it).
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
September 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
James VI of Scotland became Elizabeth’s successor peacefully and was welcomed into England, people’s ‘eyes flaming nothing but sparks of affection’ towards him (as he put it).
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
There was no better supported claimant; no one with a stronger claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #history #earlymodern
Did the dying Elizabeth I signal that she approved of James VI as her successor? Who knows?! What matters is the story’s meaning.
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
September 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Did the dying Elizabeth I signal that she approved of James VI as her successor? Who knows?! What matters is the story’s meaning.
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
It’s well known that accounts were circulated by English officials as a supplementary argument for James’s lawful claim.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Q. Who had the strongest claim to succeed Elizabeth I? Answer: James VI (as was widely accepted at the time).
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Q. Who had the strongest claim to succeed Elizabeth I? Answer: James VI (as was widely accepted at the time).
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Here, though, is the succession according to an opponent of James’s claim, Robert Persons, in 1594/5. An elaborate effort to muddy the waters.
#Tudors #KingJames400 #earlymodern
On the trail of James VI & I… and the (no longer) lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots…🔍🦄👑
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
July 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
On the trail of James VI & I… and the (no longer) lost letters of Mary, Queen of Scots…🔍🦄👑
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
Some highlights of a very special fortnight in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paris.
#KingJames400 #MaryQueenofScots #earlymodern #history
@kingjamesconf.bsky.social @nationalgalleries.bsky.social
King James the Sixth - minus one fifth… @routledgehistory.bsky.social sale!
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #Tudors
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #Tudors
July 13, 2025 at 6:47 AM
King James the Sixth - minus one fifth… @routledgehistory.bsky.social sale!
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #Tudors
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #Tudors
Happy birthday, JR! #OnThisDay 19 June 1566: King James VI & I was born. 🎉🎉
June 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Happy birthday, JR! #OnThisDay 19 June 1566: King James VI & I was born. 🎉🎉
Nice to see the royal couple side by side about town today! #earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #ScotsHistory
May 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Nice to see the royal couple side by side about town today! #earlymodern #KingJames400 #Stuarts #ScotsHistory
If, like King James VI & I, your love of books is conjoined with an ‘eating canker of want’, fear not!
The Routledge April sale lasts for a few hours more! 😜
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#KingJames400 #earlymodern #Stuarts
The Routledge April sale lasts for a few hours more! 😜
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#KingJames400 #earlymodern #Stuarts
April 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
If, like King James VI & I, your love of books is conjoined with an ‘eating canker of want’, fear not!
The Routledge April sale lasts for a few hours more! 😜
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#KingJames400 #earlymodern #Stuarts
The Routledge April sale lasts for a few hours more! 😜
www.routledge.com/James-VI-Bri...
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#KingJames400 #earlymodern #Stuarts
#OnThisDay 3/4/1603 at St Giles’ Kirk, Edinburgh, James VI speaks on his accession to the English throne:
There is no more difference betwixt Londoun and Edinburgh, … as betwixt Invernesse or Aberdeen and Edinburgh … my course must be betwixt both, to establishe peace …
#earlymodern
There is no more difference betwixt Londoun and Edinburgh, … as betwixt Invernesse or Aberdeen and Edinburgh … my course must be betwixt both, to establishe peace …
#earlymodern
April 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
#OnThisDay 3/4/1603 at St Giles’ Kirk, Edinburgh, James VI speaks on his accession to the English throne:
There is no more difference betwixt Londoun and Edinburgh, … as betwixt Invernesse or Aberdeen and Edinburgh … my course must be betwixt both, to establishe peace …
#earlymodern
There is no more difference betwixt Londoun and Edinburgh, … as betwixt Invernesse or Aberdeen and Edinburgh … my course must be betwixt both, to establishe peace …
#earlymodern
10 new essays on James VI & I in Scotland, Ireland and England.
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #history
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #history
March 29, 2025 at 7:16 AM
10 new essays on James VI & I in Scotland, Ireland and England.
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #history
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and...
#earlymodern #KingJames400 #history
This 400th anniversary of King James VI & I’s death Royal Studies Network has TWO podcast eps on the king! Link below /where you get yours:-
buzzsprout.com/1934722
21/2/25 with Charlie Spragg & Nicole Maceira Cumming
7/3/25 with @johannastrong.bsky.social & me
#otd #KingJames400
buzzsprout.com/1934722
21/2/25 with Charlie Spragg & Nicole Maceira Cumming
7/3/25 with @johannastrong.bsky.social & me
#otd #KingJames400
March 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This 400th anniversary of King James VI & I’s death Royal Studies Network has TWO podcast eps on the king! Link below /where you get yours:-
buzzsprout.com/1934722
21/2/25 with Charlie Spragg & Nicole Maceira Cumming
7/3/25 with @johannastrong.bsky.social & me
#otd #KingJames400
buzzsprout.com/1934722
21/2/25 with Charlie Spragg & Nicole Maceira Cumming
7/3/25 with @johannastrong.bsky.social & me
#otd #KingJames400
#OnThisDay 27 March 1625 around noon King James VI & I dies at Theobalds.
The Prince (now King) Charles was in his Chamber. When privy councillors came to tell him of his father’s death and to present themselves for his service, he turned them away in his grief. #KingJames400 #earlymodern
The Prince (now King) Charles was in his Chamber. When privy councillors came to tell him of his father’s death and to present themselves for his service, he turned them away in his grief. #KingJames400 #earlymodern
March 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
#OnThisDay 27 March 1625 around noon King James VI & I dies at Theobalds.
The Prince (now King) Charles was in his Chamber. When privy councillors came to tell him of his father’s death and to present themselves for his service, he turned them away in his grief. #KingJames400 #earlymodern
The Prince (now King) Charles was in his Chamber. When privy councillors came to tell him of his father’s death and to present themselves for his service, he turned them away in his grief. #KingJames400 #earlymodern
Some favourite images of the past year with James VI & I and me!
I’m so grateful to all the wonderful, generous people who have shared their interest and expertise in Jacobean history with me, and with whom I have so much enjoyed discussing James’s life and kingship.
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
I’m so grateful to all the wonderful, generous people who have shared their interest and expertise in Jacobean history with me, and with whom I have so much enjoyed discussing James’s life and kingship.
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
March 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Some favourite images of the past year with James VI & I and me!
I’m so grateful to all the wonderful, generous people who have shared their interest and expertise in Jacobean history with me, and with whom I have so much enjoyed discussing James’s life and kingship.
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
I’m so grateful to all the wonderful, generous people who have shared their interest and expertise in Jacobean history with me, and with whom I have so much enjoyed discussing James’s life and kingship.
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
Some snaps from the Cambridge History Forum earlier this month @selwyn1882.bsky.social
Great questions from 6th Form audience; talks on historical ‘successions’
With Jonathan Davis @angliaruskinuni.bsky.social and Jessica Sharkey @ueahistory.bsky.social
#historyteacher #earlymodern
Great questions from 6th Form audience; talks on historical ‘successions’
With Jonathan Davis @angliaruskinuni.bsky.social and Jessica Sharkey @ueahistory.bsky.social
#historyteacher #earlymodern
March 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Some snaps from the Cambridge History Forum earlier this month @selwyn1882.bsky.social
Great questions from 6th Form audience; talks on historical ‘successions’
With Jonathan Davis @angliaruskinuni.bsky.social and Jessica Sharkey @ueahistory.bsky.social
#historyteacher #earlymodern
Great questions from 6th Form audience; talks on historical ‘successions’
With Jonathan Davis @angliaruskinuni.bsky.social and Jessica Sharkey @ueahistory.bsky.social
#historyteacher #earlymodern
#OnThisDay 24/3/1603: Elizabeth I dies; James VI of Scotland is proclaimed her successor as King of England and Ireland
Happy Accession Day! 🎉 #earlymodern
Happy Accession Day! 🎉 #earlymodern
March 24, 2025 at 6:17 AM
#OnThisDay 24/3/1603: Elizabeth I dies; James VI of Scotland is proclaimed her successor as King of England and Ireland
Happy Accession Day! 🎉 #earlymodern
Happy Accession Day! 🎉 #earlymodern
Jordi Savall, Xavier Díaz-Latorre and David Mayoral last night at Trinity College, Cambridge. So uplifting to see and hear them play - a joyous and moving performance. #earlymodern
March 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Jordi Savall, Xavier Díaz-Latorre and David Mayoral last night at Trinity College, Cambridge. So uplifting to see and hear them play - a joyous and moving performance. #earlymodern
Such a pleasure to record this Royal Studies podcast episode on my biography of King James VI with @johannastrong.bsky.social:
www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
@royalstudies.bsky.social
@routledgehistory.bsky.social #earlymodern #KingJames400 #historyteacher
www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
@royalstudies.bsky.social
@routledgehistory.bsky.social #earlymodern #KingJames400 #historyteacher
March 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Such a pleasure to record this Royal Studies podcast episode on my biography of King James VI with @johannastrong.bsky.social:
www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
@royalstudies.bsky.social
@routledgehistory.bsky.social #earlymodern #KingJames400 #historyteacher
www.buzzsprout.com/1934722/epis...
@royalstudies.bsky.social
@routledgehistory.bsky.social #earlymodern #KingJames400 #historyteacher
Look who’s turned up this morning! 🥳 Thank you SO much to the contributing authors, my co-editor Michael Questier and the wonderful team @routledgehistory.bsky.social
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and... #earlymodern #KingJames400
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and... #earlymodern #KingJames400
March 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Look who’s turned up this morning! 🥳 Thank you SO much to the contributing authors, my co-editor Michael Questier and the wonderful team @routledgehistory.bsky.social
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and... #earlymodern #KingJames400
Use code 25AFLY1 for 20% off:
www.routledge.com/James-VI-and... #earlymodern #KingJames400
10 new essays on James VI & I.
Publishing March 2025, from Routledge.
#earlymodern #stuarts #KingJames400 #historyteacher
Publishing March 2025, from Routledge.
#earlymodern #stuarts #KingJames400 #historyteacher
January 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
10 new essays on James VI & I.
Publishing March 2025, from Routledge.
#earlymodern #stuarts #KingJames400 #historyteacher
Publishing March 2025, from Routledge.
#earlymodern #stuarts #KingJames400 #historyteacher
BBC2 tonight at 9: a first blast of Jacobean TV for 2025!
Lucy Worsley Investigates Gunpowder Plot
@lucyworsley.bsky.social
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
Lucy Worsley Investigates Gunpowder Plot
@lucyworsley.bsky.social
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
January 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
BBC2 tonight at 9: a first blast of Jacobean TV for 2025!
Lucy Worsley Investigates Gunpowder Plot
@lucyworsley.bsky.social
#KingJames400 #earlymodern
Lucy Worsley Investigates Gunpowder Plot
@lucyworsley.bsky.social
#KingJames400 #earlymodern