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History vocabulary · Empires, States and Rulers

Divine right

Meaning in history, with examples

nounCommon term

In history, divine right means: The doctrine that a monarch's authority derives from God rather than from subjects' consent.

In Turkish: ilahi hak, hükümdarın ilahi yönetme hakkı

How it is used

Usually appears as the divine right of kings; describe it as a historical claim, not an established truth.

Example sentences

  1. The pamphlet defended divine right against calls for parliamentary control.

    The doctrine supplies a justification for royal authority.

  2. Her analysis separates belief in divine right from the king's actual power.

    A justification of rule does not measure practical control.

Common collocations

  • the divine right of kings
  • defend divine right
  • monarchyA system of government in which a king, queen, emperor or other hereditary ruler is head of state, or a country governed in this way.
  • sovereigntySupreme authority over a territory and its people, including the right to make laws and to govern without control from any outside power.

More terms: Empires, States and Rulers

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