DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

divine right of kings.The political theory that the sovereign is a direct representative of God

and has the right to rule absolutely by virtue of birth.

“Divine  Right  of  Kings …  originated  in  the  mediaeval  concept of  God’s  award  of  temporal

power to civil rulers and spiritual power to the Church. It was claimed by the earlier Stuart kings

in  England,  and  explains  many  of  their  attitudes in  the  struggle  which  developed  between  them

and Parliament for political sovereignty …. The principle of divine right was submerged during the D

Commonwealth  but re-emerged  under  James II, but disappeared  with  his flight and  abdication.”

David M. Walker, The Oxford Companion to Law 366 (1980). [Blacks Law 8th]