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]