Her natural successor, Mary Queen of Scots was unavailable due to being executed by Elizabeth in 1587 for the heinous crime of being Catholic rather than Protestant. I know, right? So various options were mooted for a new monarch, including importing a Royal from Spain.

At the time most of the Royal and noble houses of Europe was related as they interbred in their pursuit of eliminating their ancient enemy, the chin. Any way eventually they settled on James VI of Scotland, Mary’s son. Mostly because it was easy and he was local. And hopefully a moderate.