What Power Did Monarchs Have In The 17th Century

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Created by
G_ Kos

Cards (4)

  • Monarchs derived their power and authority from God – The Divine Right of Kings.Monarchs both ruled and reigned in 16th and 17th century – It was a personal monarchy.Therefore the character and personality of a monarch mattered.Monarchs ruled through royal prerogative and patronage.
  • Sovereign = the person who wields sovereign powerSovereignty = the dominant/absolute power to govern independently
  • At the bottom = the voters.In the middle = those who led local office JP’s or became MP’s. At the top= those who held offices of state Eg: Members of the Privy Council/ King’s ministers and advisers .Represented in Parliament and ran the localities.There was no civil service.
  • In theory English monarchs had unlimited power but in reality they were restricted by:- Financial constraints. The need to maintain the support of the political elite/nation. Lack of written constitution was both a blessing and a curse.