| the doctrine that the right of rule derives directly from God, not from the consent of the people. |
| divine right n. The doctrine that monarchs derive their right to rule directly from God and are accountable only to God. |
The doctrine that kings and queens have a God-given right to rule and that rebellion against them is a sin. This belief was common through the seventeenth century and was urged by such kings as Louis xiv of France. (See absolute monarchy.)
