Students, as we take a look at the age of monarchs we will be focusing on the power that the monarchs of Europe had. For example, take a look at the excerpt below from the works of King James IV.
Divine Right
The state of monarchy 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… Kings justly gods, for they exercise a… divine power upon earth… God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake at His pleasure, to give life or sent death to judge and to be judged nor accountable to none, to raise low things and to make high things low at His pleasure… And the like power of kings…
-King James IV of Britain, 1609
Note that he was the second to last absolute ruler in England and notice the constant references to his job as a monarch as being God’s work.
Mr. McClung
Hello,
I’m at a student in class EMD-310 at the University of South Alabama. I’m studying to become a History teach for middle school and high school teenagers. Kings of this time did really think they were gods on earth. Did you know that William Shakespeare also lived during this time?
Hello Mr. McClung,
My name is Christopher Reindl and I am a student in edm310 at the University of South Alabama. I very much enjoy British history, especially the House of Stuart and the House of Hanover. They truly are the imported monarchy. James I was James VI king of Scotland. William III was William of Orange. Of the 4 George’s only 2 were even born in the United Kingdom. In hope your students enjoy learning about the monarchy as I did. So much scandal and controversy.
Thanks,
Christopher Reindl
Hi, I am also a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class at the University of South Alabama. I am planning on being an English teacher, and when teaching pieces from this time it will be important to show how kings were viewed by their citizens. Thanks.