IN NOVEMBER 1605 Guy Fawkes and a group of others plotted to assassinate King James I of England – also known as James VI of Scotland. Their failed attempt is remembered as Bonfire Night ever… ...

Ruthven was executed and James brought the Church of Scotland under his firm control. The key chapter of his reign involved two women - his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I of England.

The King James Version of the Bible, the most popular book in the English language, was published according to scholarly estimate on this day in history, May 2, 1611.