Question: ‘Absolute monarchy was limited monarchy.’ Discuss with reference to ONE or MORE European countries.
Answer: In theory, an absolute monarchy is meant to be a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power and is subject to no constitutional safeguards or checks. The principle of an absolute monarch, given a right to rule by God (divine right of kings), was extensively used in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Absolute monarchy can be compared and contrasted with limited or constitutional monarchy, in which the sovereign’s powers are defined or limited. The fundamental differences between the absolute and limited monarchy have grown with hindsight. The two prime examples of absolutist monarchies are England and France, although whether they actually were can be debated. This is because in spite of the name ‘absolute’, the power of the monarch is limited by the need to have some measure of support by the landed aristocracy....(short extract)
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- Subject: History
- Course: The Middle Ages
- Level: Degree
- Year: 2nd/3rd
- Mark: 66%
- Words: 1578
- Date submitted: April 09, 2009
- Date written: Not available
- References: Yes
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 2690
