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The '''Basilikon Doron''' is a treatise on government written by King James VI of Scotland, later King James I of England, in 1599. ''Basilikon Doron'' means royal gift. It was written in the form of a private and confidential letter to the King's eldest son, Henry, Duke of Rothesay, born 1594. After Henry’s death in 1612, James gave it to his second son, Charles, born 1600, later King Charles I. It was printed in Edinburgh in 1599 and in London in 1603.
The ''Basilikon Doron'' repeats the argument for the divine right of kings, as set out in ''The True Law of Free Monarchies'', which was also written by James. It too warns against "Papists" and derides Puritans. It advocates removing the Apocrypha from the Bible. The published ''Basilikon Doron'' may well have been intended to portray the king in a favourable light. James Sempill assisted James in composing it. Robert Waldegrave, who was bound to secrecy, printed seven copies at the king's behest. Henry Taylor said the he printed it on Waldegrave's press. Richard Royston, and later William Dugard, printed further copies.
The ''Basilikon Doron'' criticises both Roman Catholics and Puritans. This is in keeping with the king’s philosophy of following a 'middle path', as reflected in the preface to the 1611 King James Bible.
See also Eikon Basilike.