Published in 1934, Williams' biographical novel chronicles the life of James Stuart (James I) and the span of his reign in Scotland and England. True to form, Williams' writing focuses on the life and personality of the enigmatic monarch. Charles Williams (1886-1945) was a British theologian, playwright, novelist and poet. As a member of the 'Inklings' literary group at Oxford, his work supported a strong sense of narrative. For Williams, spiritual exchanges were an undercurrent to life, and his literary explorations into Christian fantasy writing, such as 'Descent into Hell' (1937), earned him many followers. This classic work is now being republished in a new modern edition with a specially commissioned introductory biography.