HEADLINE: GAIUS & GERMANICUS IN LONDINIUM 91 AD: Reclaiming James I as the True Founding Father. Preparing to see a mock battle staged by centurions in Londinium, Gaius and Germanicus discuss the unappreciated legacy of James I (James VI of Scotland), asserting he is the true founding father of the United States. James I, an intellectual king who took the throne in 1603, faced challenges from the powerful Spanish Empire over territorial claims in the New World. When the Spanish ambassador complained about incursions near Chesapeake Bay, James I gave an "opaquely professional" response, disclaiming crown involvement and calling it "private business." This non-committal stance prevented war and allowed colonization to proceed. By 1618, he solidified this by granting a charter to the struggling Virginia colony. His light management established self-governance, setting the course for both modern Britain and the United States.
1901 OLD HOUSE
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