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 Commonwealth but re-emerged under James II, but disappeared with his flight and abdication.” David M. Walker, The Oxford Companion to Law 366 (1980).

---

词条贡献者

译员Clara，毕业于国内知名法学院，擅长翻译有关建筑领域的法律文件。