List of Jacobean union tracts explained

This is a list of Jacobean union tracts, published or manuscript treatises bearing on the Jacobean debate on the Union.

Scottish authors

YearAuthorTitleComment
Around 1604Sir Thomas CraigDe Unione Regnorum Britanniae TractatusPublished 1909
1604John GordonEnΩtikon or a Sermon of the Union of Great BritainPreached before King James at Whitehall.
1603John GordonA Panegyrique of Congratulation for the Concord of the Realmes of Great BritainWritten in French, translated by Edward Grimston, published under new titles in 1604.
1605David Hume of GodscroftDe Unione Insulae Britanniae TractatusFavoured a union of equal partners
1605 manuscriptDavid HumeTractatus SecundusNot published at the time; printed in the collections of Robert Sibbald and Robert Wodrow.[1]
1604 manuscript outlineJames MaxwellBritaines Union in LoveEmphasis on divine providence.
1604 in LatinRobert PontDe Unione Britanniæ, seu de Regnorum Angliæ et Scotiæ omniumque adjacentum insularum in unam monarchiam consolidatione, deque multiplici ejus unionis utilitate, dialogus[2]
Of the Union of Britayne
John RussellA treatise of the happie and blissed Unioun[3]

English authors

YearAuthorTitleComment
Anonymous manuscriptA Briefe Replication to the Answers of the Objections Against the UnionOn objections of the House of Commons.
Anonymous manuscriptA Discourse against the UnionConsiders 19 European precedents, finding that only the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth had a serious "statutory union".
Anonymous manuscriptA Discourse on the Proposed Union between England and Scotland founded on the opinions of Historians Ancient and ModernRejects a legal union.
Anonymous manuscriptA discourse on the union as being triple-headedOpposed a trade and legal union.
Anonymous manuscriptThe Divine Providence in the misticall and reall union of England and Scotland
Anonymous manuscriptA treatise about the Union of England and Scotland
1604Anonymous manuscriptPro UnioneFor the union, anti-Catholic
1604Anonymous manuscriptRapta TatioFor a legal union.
Anonymous manuscriptUnion by Concurrency of the Homager State with the SuperiorRecommends an extra-parliamentary route to fuller union.
1603Francis BaconA Brief Discourse touching the Happy Union of the Kingdoms of England and ScotlandIn favour of a union of fundamental laws.
1604Francis BaconCertain Articles or Considerations touching the Union of the Kingdoms of England and ScotlandWritten for the Union commission.
William ClerkAncillans SynopsisSupported John Thornborough.
1604Sir William CornwallisThe Miraculous and Happie Union of England and ScotlandPro-union.
John DodderidgeA breif consideracion of the Unyon of twoe kingedomes
1605Alberico GentiliDe Unione Regnorum BritanniaeFavours perfect union, from a civil law perspective.
1604John HaywardA Treatise of Union of the Two realmes of England and ScotlandCalls for some union of the common law and Scottish law systems.
Sir Henry SavileHistoricall Collections
Sir Henry SpelmanOf the Union
1604John ThornboroughA Discourse plainely proving the evident Utilitie and urgent necessitie of the desired happie Union of the two famous Kingdomes of England and ScotlandReply to the House of Commons and their opposition to the change of the king's title.
Undated pamphletJohn ThornboroughThe Joiefull and Blessed Reuniting the two mighty and famous Kingdomes, England and Scotland, in their ancient name of Great BrittainePrecedents for aspects of the union.

Notes and References

  1. Hume, David (1560?-1630?). 28.
  2. Pont, Robert . 46.
  3. Bruce R. Galloway & Brian P. Levack, The Jacobean Union: Six Tracts of 1604 (Edinburgh: SHS, 1985), pp. liv-lxi, 75-141