Divine Right: Difference between revisions
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An exaggerated version of the traditional belief in the sacredness and supremacy of the monarch. Being influenced by the writings of Jean Bodin, James Stuart and [[Robert Filmer]]. Claimed that kings were absolved from any criticism by earthly authority and that they stood above the law. In the words of [[James I]] in “A Speech to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament at White-Hall” (1610): "The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth. For kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God himself they are called gods". | An exaggerated version of the traditional belief in the sacredness and supremacy of the monarch. Being influenced by the writings of Jean Bodin, [[James I|James Stuart]] and [[Robert Filmer]]. Claimed that kings were absolved from any criticism by earthly authority and that they stood above the law. In the words of [[James I]] in “A Speech to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament at White-Hall” (1610): "The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth. For kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God himself they are called gods". | ||
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Revision as of 10:48, 26 May 2010
An exaggerated version of the traditional belief in the sacredness and supremacy of the monarch. Being influenced by the writings of Jean Bodin, James Stuart and Robert Filmer. Claimed that kings were absolved from any criticism by earthly authority and that they stood above the law. In the words of James I in “A Speech to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament at White-Hall” (1610): "The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth. For kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God himself they are called gods".
Sources: Hill, Christopher. The Century of Revolution. 1603-1714. London: Nelson, 1980.
Wootton, David, ed., Divine Right and Democracy. An Anthology of Political Writing in Stuart England. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1986.