Entry of James VI into Edinburgh

James VI of Scotland in 1580

A royal entry into Edinburgh marked the coming of age of King James VI of Scotland as an adult ruler on 19 October 1579. The 13-year-old king came to Edinburgh to begin his adult rule, having spent his childhood at Stirling Castle.

A royal entry was the usual way across Europe of marking a new monarch, or one making his first visit to a city. A representation of the astrologer Ptolemy signalled the transition of James to adulthood, and he was given a sword and sceptre, symbols of kingship, known as the Honours of Scotland.[1]

  1. ^ Michael Lynch, "Court Ceremony and Ritual", Julian Goodare and Michael Lynch, The Reign of James VI (East Linton: Tuckwell, 2000), pp. 74–78.