King James' passion for jewellery has come to light in a 400-year-old manuscript.

Previously James VI of Scotland, he became the first Stuart king of England in 1603 taking over from Elizabeth I and a document recently uncovered in the University of Edinburgh details a list of jobs his jewellers were tasked with the year after his coronation, including decorating his armour with emeralds.

It outlines a series of repairs and embellishments to be carried out by the King's jewellers - Sir John Spilman and William Henrick - for himself and his wife Anne of Denmark.

Work completed on a number of brooches made up of gold feathers, which are depicted in a number of portraits of the King, are listed along with other pieces include a chain with diamonds and rubies, a jewel fashioned like "the bough of a tree".

Armour for the king was decorated with emeralds, garnets and sapphires, according to the document.

Techniques used by the jewellers, such as soldering, mending, trimming and setting, are also detailed.

The total cost for the work comes to £1,374, 14 shillings and one pence - approximately £140,000 in today's money.

The manuscript was discovered by archive staff completing a project to document the university's Laing Collection, hundreds of historic documents bequeathed to the university by antiquary and bookseller David Laing.

Archive manager Rachel Hosker said: "In 1604 the king and queen were in the public gaze as never before and, knowing how much they liked jewels, it is clear they were keen to impress.

"This rare document offers insight into this aspect of their lives at a pivotal time in British history."

History students on a number of courses at the University of Edinburgh will study the document as part of their courses and it can also be viewed by members of the public.