Basilikon Doron

Basilikon Doron (Βασιλικὸν Δῶρον) means "royal gift" in Ancient Greek and was written in the form of a private letter to James's eldest son, Henry, Duke of Rothesay (1594–1612).

As the first part is concerned with being a good Christian, James instructed his son to love and respect God as well as to fear Him.

In the second book, James encouraged his son to be a good king, as opposed to a tyrant, by establishing and executing laws as well as governing with justice and equality, such as by boosting the economy.

All of these guidelines composed an underlying code of conduct to be followed by all monarchs and heads of state to rule and govern efficiently.

It warns against "Papists" and derides Puritans, in keeping with his philosophy of following a "middle path", which is also reflected in the preface to the 1611 King James Bible.