The Responsibilities of Kingship, John of Salisbury (I, 333)

Author Bio: John of Salisbury was born in 1120, England, United Kingdom and died in October 25, 11Author Bio: John of Salisbury was born in 1120, England, United Kingdom and died in October 25, 1180, Chartres, France. He served as an advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The Archbishop was well known for his defiance to King Henry II, and as a result he was murdered. Salisbury dedicated a book he wrote to Becket in 1159.

Date/Context: The document was written somewhere in between 1120 and 1180, and may be taken from Statesman’s Book which he wrote in 1159.

Summary: This document seems as though it is a guide directed at princes who are about to become kings. It encourages the idea that princes are entitled to all the privileges that he believes he deserves, and that anyone who goes against his own wills goes against those of God. It also mentions that princes who are to be kings should not feel bad or take offence to the idea that their “enactments of justice” are second to those of God. The author states that his staff should be used to “restore irregularities and false departures” as he rules his kingdom. His shield should be used to protect the weak, and that “his power is chiefly exercised against those who desire to do harm.” The prince will receive a sword from the church at his coronation, and the prince will be considered “a minister of priestly power.” The document also mentions that the place of the head in the body of the commonwealth is filled by the prince.

Key Quotation:

“The power the prince has is therefore from God...” “Who, therefore, resists the ruling power, resists the ordinance of God.” (page 333)