WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -divine right of kings, in European history, a political doctrine in defense of monarchical absolutism, which asserted that kings derived their authority from God and could not therefore be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament.

Detailed explanation-2: -The idea that a king was God’s chosen representative reached its greatest extent in the 1600s. Britain’s kings James I and Charles I believed strongly in the divine right of kings. These kings and others in Europe tried to control both the government and the church.

Detailed explanation-3: -What is an example of the divine right of kings? During the War of the Roses, both Henry VI and Edward IV claimed that they ought to be king. They both argued that they were appointed by God to rule England, so the war of succession was not only political, but religious as well.

Detailed explanation-4: -Divine right is the notion that royalty is given divine sanction to rule. In the words of England’s King James I (r. 1603–1625): “The State of MONARCHIE 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.”

Detailed explanation-5: -Enlightenment thinkers challenged the theory of divine right and the union of church and state. We do not believe in divine right. Rulers don’t get their power from God.

Detailed explanation-6: -The divine right to rule, also known as the “divine right of kings, ‘’ is a political doctrine asserting that monarchs derive their authority from God and cannot be held accountable for their actions by human means.