‘Cousin, sister, mother: an analysis of the epistolary relationship between Elizabeth I and James VI’

Elizabeth I and James VI of Scotland conducted a long epistolary exchange until Elizabeth’s death in 1603 and James’ ascent to the English throne. Such letters are a testimony to the frequent negotiations of each other’s conduct, usually when it was perceived to be at the expense of the other’s reign. Elizabeth, being older and more experienced, adopted the role of advisor in their letters, threading her advice to James with carefully worded admonishments that their good will had to be mutual. There is, however, a subtler negotiation, which can be seen in the terms of address the two monarchs use to refer to one another: that of their relationship. “Madame”, “sister”, “son”, “mother”: these are some of the epithets they called each other as they dealt with one another’s request or warning, specifically in the opening and closing of their letters. These epithets are by no means constant, seemingly dependent on the topic of the letter, the intent behind the letter, and the frame of mind the monarch was in at the moment of writing. These terms evolve their form through time, as the monarchs established their positions in each other’s lives.