How did a Scottish king come to join Scotland and England into Great Britain (as he liked to call it)? Well, Queen Elizabeth I (Elizabeth Tudor) of England never married and had no heir to the throne. She decided that her cousin, King James VI of Scotland would be the best choice to succeede her since he was an experienced, Protestant, king. King James was related to the Tudors of England both paternally & maternally through King Henry VII of England and his daughter Margaret.

King James' Mother--Mary Queen of Scots

1. Henry VII of England married Elizabeth of York
2. Their daughter Margaret Tudor married King James IV of Scotland
3. Their son James V of Scotland married Mary of Guise
4. Their daughter Mary Queen of Scots married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley; and their son was--
5. King James VI of Scotland.

King James' Father--Lord Darnley

1. Henry VII of England married Elizabeth of York
2. Their daughter Margaret Tudor remarried after King James IV of Scotland died. Her new husband was Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus
3. Their daughter Lady Margaret Douglas married Matthew Stuart, Earl of Lennox
4. Their son Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley married Mary Queen of Scots; and their son was--
5. King James VI of Scotland.

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