The Divine Right of Kings (doctrine)

The Divine Right of Kings is a political and religious doctrine that asserts a monarch's authority comes directly from God. This means that kings are seen as God's chosen rulers, with a divine mandate to govern. Consequently, their power is considered absolute and unquestionable by subjects. Challenges to a king’s rule were viewed not only as political rebellion but also as an affront to divine order. This belief was prevalent in medieval Europe and justified monarchs’ authority until Enlightenment ideas about democracy and individual rights began to challenge it in the 17th and 18th centuries.