Andrew Melville and the Law of Kingship

Reid, S. J. (2014) Andrew Melville and the Law of Kingship. In: Mason, R. A. and Reid, S. J. (eds.) Andrew Melville (1545-1622): Writings, Reception and Reputation. Series: St Andrews Studies in Reformation History. Ashgate: Farnham, pp. 47-74. ISBN 9781409426936

Abstract

This chapter is the first comprehensive assessment of all of Melville's known writings on the subject of kingship, tyranny, and whether it was permissible for a subject to resist, imprison or kill their monarch. Previous historiography has suggested that Melville was a close follower of the ideas of George Buchanan on these issues (as laid down most clearly in his 'Dialogue on the Law of Kingship among the Scots [De Iure Regni apud Scotos Dialogus, 1579]). A review of Melville's poems on this subject - most notably the 'Stephaniskion', or 'Small Crown' delivered at the coronation of Queen Anna in 1590 - show that while Melville clearly believed tyrants deserved punishment, his Christian worldview - notably the doctrine of Romans 13 on obeying God's appointed magistrate - played a stronger role in his worldview, and he arguably did not support the idea of tyrannicide or of violent overthrow of monarchy.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reid, Professor Steven
• Authors: Reid, S. J.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Publisher: Ashgate
• ISBN: 9781409426936