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Deposing Monarchs analyses depositions in Northern Europe between 1500 and 1700 as a type of frequent political conflict which allows to present new ideas on early modern state formation, monarchy, and the conventions of royal rulership.
The book revises earlier conceptualizations of depositions as isolated, unique events that emerged in the context of national historiographies. An examination of the official legitimations of depositions reveals that in times of crisis, concepts of tradition, rule of law, and political consensus are much more influential than the divine right of kings. Tracing the similarities and differences of depositions in Northern Europe transnationally and diachronically, the book shows monarchical succession as more non-linear than previously presumed. It offers a transferable model of the different elements needed in depositions, such as opposition to the monarch by multiple groups in a realm, the need for a convincing rival candidate, and a legitimation based on political traditions or religious ideas. Furthermore, the book bolsters our understanding of authority and rule as a constant process of negotiation, adding to recent research on political culture, and on the cultural history of politics.
List of contents
Part I
Chapter 1: A Specific Form of Conflict: Deposing Monarchs
1.1 Political Conflict and State Formation
1.2 Early Modern Rule
1.3 Northern European Kingdoms
Chapter 2: Depositions in Scandinavia
2.1 Scandinavia 1500
2.2 John II
2.3 Christian II
2.4 Erik XIV
2.5 Sigismund
2.6 Scandinavia 1600
Chapter 3: Depositions in the British Isles
3.1 The British Isles in 1500
3.2 Jane Grey
3.3 Mary Stuart
3.4 Charles I
3.5 James II/VII
3.6 The British Isles in 1700
Part II
Chapter 4: Kings and Queens, Rivals, and the Rest of the Kingdom
Chapter 5: Motivations - Official and Unofficial
Chapter 6: A How-to-Guide to Depositions
Chapter 7: Dynamics and Natural Phenomena
Part III
Chapter 8: Consensus or God-Given Rule?
Chapter 9: Re-Defining Political Conditions
Chapter 10: Conflict as a Tool for Understanding Early Modern Rule, 1500-1700
About the author
Cathleen Sarti is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on political culture in Northern Europe, and she has published several books on monarchical studies, cultural history, and historiography.
Summary
Deposing Monarchs analyses depositions in Northern Europe between 1500 and 1700 as a type of frequent political conflict which allows to present new ideas on early modern state formation, monarchy, and the conventions of royal rulership.
Report
Reviews of this book include:
- By Helmut Gabel, Sehepunkt.
- By Hannes Ziegler, Historisches Seminar, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, H-Soz-Kult
