A charter to start a colony was granted by King James I of England to what group?

A charter to start a colony was granted to the Virginia Company by King James I.

Explanation:

This charter from King James I was called The First Virginia Charter or the Charter of 1606, and it granted land rights to colonists with the purpose of expanding the Christian religion overseas. The group of people that was granted this document was called the Virginia Company (because of the settlement they had to start in the coastal area of Virginia), which was divided into the London Company and the Plymouth Company. These were run by businessmen who had the support of the crown (the king, in this case). However, the London Company had to pay for the costs of this project and look for the settlers.

Virginia Company assigning land rights to colonists for the stated purpose of propagating the Christian religion.