Britannica AI Icon

Basilikon Doron

work by James I
Also known as: “Basilikon Doron; or, His Majesties Instructions to His Dearest Sonne, Henry the Prince”(Show More)

Quick Summary

Basilikon Doron was a work written by James I of England and Scotland. Published in 1599, it was intended as a guide for his son, Prince Henry, on the duties and responsibilities of kingship. The book expounded James's theories on the divine right of kings, asserting that monarchs were chosen by God and accountable only to Him. It offered advice on governance, religion, and personal conduct, reflecting James's belief in absolute monarchy. The work is considered significant for articulating his political philosophy, which later contributed to conflicts with Parliament during his reign in England.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.