Divine Right

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.