Anne of Denmark was the wife of James I, the first of the Stuart
monarchs. Anne was born on October 14th, 1574 at Skanderborg
Castle in Denmark. She married James by proxy in August 1589
though the actual marriage took place in Oslo on November 23rd,
1589. James thought of himself as an intellectual and academic.
It is said that he found Anne frivolous and less than academic.
With little to bond them, James preferred the company of his
favourites though he always ensured that Anne lived the life as
befitted a queen. Anne shared her husband's view that monarchy
should live the lifestyle of monarchy. She spent large sums of
money on clothes and jewels. Anne also ensured that her eldest
son, Henry, heir to the throne, was equally lavished with gifts
and symbols of what James called 'magnificence'. Anne spent
large sums of money on Somerset House (her residence in London)
and re-named it Denmark House. Neither Anne nor James had any
real understanding of finance - both believed that if they
needed something, they