The
idea of the Divine Right of Kings evolved in Europe during the Middle
Ages. The theory claimed that kings were answerable only to God and
it was therefore sinful for their subjects to resist them.
James
I
upheld the doctrine in his speeches and writings. This theory was
supported by his son Charles I and his
chief adviser, William
Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Laud argued that the
king had been appointed by God and people who disagreed with him were
bad Christians.
In November 1688, William
of Orange and
his Dutch army arrived in England. When the English army refused to
accept the orders of their Catholic officers, James fled to France.
As the overthrow of James
had taken place without
a violent Civil War, this event became known as the Glorious
Revolution.
William
III and Mary
II were now appointed
by Parliament as joint sovereigns. However, the House
of Commons was determined that it would not have another monarch
that ruled without its consent. The king and queen had to promise
they would always obey laws made by Parliament. After the Glorious
Revolution the doctrine of Divine Right of Kings ceased to have
much influence in Britain.
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
