Monarchomachs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term Monarchomachs was coined by William Barclay in his book De Regno et Regali Potestate (About the Powers of Authority and Royalty), published in 1600. The term refers to those Barclay called king killers (e.g. Francois Hotman). Barclay's theory was that the Huguenots had lost their struggle with the Catholic church and were turning their battle towards the government to undermine the king's support of the Catholics. Eventually, the term was used to classify anyone who was opposed to the king's rule. In modern times, with most countries not being a monarchy, the term has been used to classify anyone who is pro-democracy. More loosely, it is used to describe oneself, when attacking someone with less democratic views.

The monarchomach tradition is based on the assumption that all men are naturally free and are thus able to impose restrictions on the monarch. The people act as one - a distinct legal entity - since it is their consent which legitimates the ruler.

The monarch is subject to the people's law as the rest of the population, and hence separated from the state.