power of kings, The
Book Description
The sacred bond between ruler and subject underwent a profound transformation across European monarchies from the sixteenth century through the Enlightenment. Paul Kléber Monod explores this fascinating spiritual and political evolution, revealing how kings and queens once served as divine intermediaries who could heal through touch and embodied the sacred connection between heaven and earth.
In this comprehensive examination spanning from Britain to Russia, readers discover how monarchs functioned as living mirrors of human identity within quasi-religious ceremonies that defined the relationship between divine authority and Christian consciousness. These rulers were not merely political figures but sacred beings whose very presence carried spiritual significance for their subjects.
The narrative traces a remarkable shift that occurred by 1715, when this ancient sacred authority gave way to a new understanding that merged personal moral responsibility with allegiance to abstract political power. No longer viewed as divine vessels, Enlightenment monarchs found themselves occupying a distinctly human role in the hearts and minds of their people.
This scholarly work illuminates how spiritual concepts of leadership, authority, and human identity evolved through centuries of European history. For those interested in understanding how sacred power transforms within human consciousness and political structures, Monod offers valuable insights into the intersection of spirituality, governance, and personal development across cultures and time periods.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)
📄 Length: 417 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Christentum
- ✓ Explore 15.70 history of Europe
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Kings and rulers
- ✓ Explore König
- ✓ Explore Het heilige
- ✓ Explore Monarchie
- ✓ Explore Christianisme
