Melville

JAMES MELVILLE (1556 - 1614)

The Scottish poet and diarist was a staunch Presbyterian, and his opposition to bishops in his own native land caused him to flee to Berwick in May 1584 to escape the attacks of his enemy Bishop Adamson. While there, he spent some time in Newcastle. where he served as minister to the banished ultra-protestant lords congregated at Newcastle and drew up an order of discipline to be observed.

Back in Scotland after 1585, Melville was again in the forefront of controversy.

He was summoned to London in 1606 with his uncle, Andrew Melville, to discuss church policy with James I. As a result of these talks, Andrew Melville ended in the Tower, where he lingered for four years. James, however, was ordered to remain in Newcastle and not stray more than ten miles from it. He stayed there for seven years, during which time he was offered rewards if he supported the royal plans - even being conducted as far as Berwick to persuade him. He was adamant.

Melville's poetry, some of it written in his Newcastle exile, is rather deficient technically and lacks originality. It certainly compares unfavourably with his talented uncle's output. The Diary of Mr James Melville 1556-1601, however, is a fresh and lively portrait of his times. His sketch of John Knox (q.v.) at St Andrews is particularly effective.

From Newcastle Melville published another devotional work, A Morning Vision (1609). Melville seems to have contemplated moving to France, but he died in Berwick. With John Forbes and Robert Bruce, Melville was a central figure in the ongoing Reformation and played a key role of spiritual father to men only a little younger than himself.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
JAMES MELVILLE (1556 - 1614) The Scottish poet and diarist was a staunch Presbyterian, and his opposition to bishops in his own native land caused him to flee to Berwick in May 1584 to escape the attacks of his enemy Bishop Adamson. While there, he spent some time in Newcastle. where he served as minister to the banished ultra-protestant lords congregated at Newcastle and drew up an order of discipline to be observed. Back in Scotland after 1585, Melville was again in the forefront of controversy. He was summoned to London in 1606 with his uncle, Andrew Melville, to discuss church policy with James I. As a result of these talks, Andrew Melville ended in the Tower, where he lingered for four years. James, however, was ordered to remain in Newcastle and not stray more than ten miles from it. He stayed there for seven years, during which time he was offered rewards if he supported the royal plans - even being conducted as far as Berwick to persuade him. He was adamant. Melville's poetry, some of it written in his Newcastle exile, is rather deficient technically and lacks originality. It certainly compares unfavourably with his talented uncle's output. The Diary of Mr James Melville 1556-1601, however, is a fresh and lively portrait of his times. His sketch of John Knox (q.v.) at St Andrews is particularly effective. From Newcastle Melville published another devotional work, A Morning Vision (1609). Melville seems to have contemplated moving to France, but he died in Berwick. With John Forbes and Robert Bruce, Melville was a central figure in the ongoing Reformation and played a key role of spiritual father to men only a little younger than himself.
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