Divine Right of Kings vs. Individual Rights

About this Collection

Does the legitimacy of government depend on the divinely instituted right of the monarch to rule or upon the natural rights of man and the consent of the governed? Debate on this issue spurred the English Civil War and continued long after the Restoration of 1660.

Western Europe 17th Century World History

Key People

Sir Robert Filmer

Titles & Essays

A – Z List

Political Theory

Quotes

War & Peace

The 4th Day of Christmas: Dante Alighieri on human perfectibility and peace on earth (1559)

Full Quote

Notes About This Collection

For additional information see:

the Timeline on the Debate about the Divine Right of Kings
Eric Mack’s reading list on James Tyrrell on Authority and Liberty
West’s Introduction Sidney, Filmer & Locke on Monarchical Power