Jus Regium

work by Mackenzie

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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Sir George Mackenzie, a Scottish lawyer known as "Bloody Mackenzie," wrote Jus Regium in 1684. This work advocated for royal prerogative and supported hereditary monarchy. Mackenzie's writings aligned with the doctrine of the divine right of kings, which posited that monarchs derived their authority directly from God and were not accountable to earthly powers like parliaments.12

Mackenzie's legal career involved the prosecution of Scottish Covenanters. Despite his strong defense of royal authority, he also criticized intolerance and inhumanity. His work Vindication of the Government of Scotland During the Reign of Charles II is a significant historical source for that era.1

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Sir George Mackenzie
In Jus Regium (1684) and other works, he advocated doctrines of royal prerogative and the support of hereditary monarchy; yet he criticized intolerance and inhumanity. Mackenzie’s Vindication of the Government of Scotland During the Reign of Charles II (1691) is a valuable primary source for that…
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In Jus Regium (1684) and other works, he advocated doctrines of royal prerogative and the support of hereditary monarchy; yet he criticized intolerance and inhumanity. Mackenzie’s Vindication of the Government of Scotland During the Reign of Charles II (1691) is a valuable primary source for that…
Read More