King James VI of Scotland holds a masque at the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle.

James VI and I was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Though he long attempted to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union.

A masque was held at the baptism of Prince Henry on 30 August 1594 at Stirling Castle. It was written by the Scottish poet William Fowler and Patrick Leslie, 1st Lord Lindores.

Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland. The castle sits atop an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times.

August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 123 days remain until the end of the year.