King James VI: Defender of the True Faith Against the Antichrist

This thesis explores the concept of divine right as King James VI took it: as principally a religious obligation, and then as a way of legitimizing political power. Using diverse works authored by James, this thesis first sets up James’ idea of divine right, that being one of sincere obligation towards God to protect and promote the religion of the realm, which notably elevates the monarch to the chief ecclesiastical authority. From the divine right idea of a king as the chief ecclesiastical authority, this thesis examines the duties a Christian king owes to his people, and the allegiances they owe to him. Finally, this thesis explores the contested balance of ecclesiastical power between King James and the Roman Catholic Church, which sought to elevate Pope Paul V as the head ecclesiastical power. Using his ideas of divine right, James attacks the Catholic Church as the forces of the Devil, elevating the pope to the position of Antichrist, while also elevating his own church, the Church of England, to the true Catholic Church which James must defend.Bachelor of Art