
Divine Right of Kings
The Divine Right of Kings is a political and religious doctrine that asserts that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, rather than from the people or any earthly authority. This means that kings are considered God's chosen rulers on Earth, making their decisions unquestionable and absolute. As a result, rebellion against a king was seen as a sin against divine order. This belief was prominent in medieval and early modern Europe, justifying the power and often the excesses of monarchy until shifting political ideologies, such as democracy, emerged and challenged absolute rule.
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The divine right of kings is a political doctrine that asserts that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, rather than from the consent of the people or any earthly power. This belief was prevalent in medieval and early modern Europe, suggesting that kings were chosen by God to rule, making their power absolute and unchallengeable. It justified their decisions and reigns, as opposing a king was seen as opposing divine will. This concept has largely fallen out of favor with the rise of democratic governance and the idea of popular sovereignty.