Week 7
 
LECTURE

KINGSHIP

INTRODUCTION

Defining a king:

1. WHY HAVE A KING?

1.1 Practical arguments

1.2 Theoretical arguments
Dante put the traditional case in De monarchia:
1. what can be done by one man is better done by one man than by several
2. mirror the rule of God as single ruler
3. animal societies are organised with a leader 1.3 What are the alternatives to kingship? 2. THE JOB OF A MEDIEVAL KING?

2.1  Family

2.2  War 2.3 Public order 2.4 Aristocracy
Consider in section 3.

2.5 Church and religion

2.6 The wider society 3. KINGSHIP AND THE POLITICAL ELITE

3.1 Symbiotic relationship

3.2 What does the king need from the nobles? 3.3 What do the nobles want from the king? CONCLUSION: WHAT DO YOU DO IF THE KING FAILS IN HIS JOB?

Historiography:

Options?
1. Deposition: rare, e.g. 1399 >> ‘abdicated’
2. ‘Parliamentary’ limitations BUT royal control of parliament
3. Council and advice
4. Moral guidance