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).

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译员Jerry，知名法学院知识产权法，专注翻译各种与版权与商标诉讼有关的法律文件。