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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_right_of_kings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_right_of_kings

• whatshisface 7y ago
  That's a religious justification for noble birth. The system it backs up is heritable monarchy, it didn't precede it.
  • kick 7y ago
    That's a religious justification for noble birth. No. (See: Chinese Mandate of Heaven; the multiple examples of people claiming to be ordained by gods and similar higher powers historically despite no or little connection to nobility, so on.) The system it backs up is heritable monarchy, it didn't precede it. Assuming this is true (which seems highly dubious), what are you contesting? Their claim is that God ordained their rulership, not that 'local religious authorities' did. Regardless of existence of the entity in question, "the primary legitimate basis for power would be noble birth instead of ordination by God" is the right thing to say.
    • pasabagi 7y ago
      >(which seems highly dubious) Seems trivially true, to me. The european feudal system developed out of the late roman imperial system, that would have vicars and dukes, with the dukes representing secular military authority. Also, off the top of my head, I think somebody like Charlemagne (as the first guy I know who merged military rule with the support of the pope) would have been wholy interested in christian support for secular reasons (and vice versa). Being the roman emperor, appointed by the pope, would presumably help with his legitimacy in Italy and Gaul.