- The Decline of Divine Right: The era saw the erosion of the belief that kings ruled by divine sanction. Regicide challenged the idea that monarchs were sacred and inviolable.
- Rise of Parliamentary and Popular Power: Many regicides occurred during conflicts between monarchs and representative bodies, highlighting a shift towards constitutional governance.
- Revolutions and Republics: The execution of monarchs like Charles I and Louis XVI coincided with the emergence of republics, democracy, and modern nation-states.
- Violence and Instability: Regicide often triggered civil wars, succession crises, or foreign invasions, reflecting the fragile nature of early modern states.
Conclusion: The Legacy of 350 Years of Regicide
The 350-year period marked by the killing of kings was a watershed in the history of monarchy and governance. These acts of regicide were more than mere assassinations—they were turning points that questioned and reshaped political authority, religious power, and societal order. From the Tudor courts to the guillotine in Paris, the deaths of monarchs left enduring legacies on how nations understand power, legitimacy, and justice.
While monarchies would persist into the modern era, the era of absolute and divine kingship never fully returned. Instead, the violent removal of kings helped lay the groundwork for constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, and the modern state system. shutdown123