Filmer: 'Patriarcha' and Other Writings

Robert Filmer (c. 1588-1653) was a theorist of monarchy whose work earned posthumous fame and considerable influence, particularly through his best-known book, 'Patriarcha'. This seminal treatise presented an uncompromising argument in favor of the divine right of kings, asserting that monarchs derive their authority from God, not from the consent of the people. Filmer's view of political legitimacy was steeped in Biblical patriarchalism, suggesting that kingship reflected the natural dominance of a father over his family, extended to the dimensions of a nation. Though 'Patriarcha' was written during the early 1630s, it was not published until 1680, well after Filmer's death and in a period of tumultuous political debate in England. The timing of its publication made Filmer's work a central piece in the ideological conflicts of the English Restoration and a target for rebuttal by figures such as John Locke, particularly in Locke's 'First Treatise of Government'. Despite the controversy surrounding his ideas, Filmer's concept of absolute monarchy influenced the Stuart kings and left an indelible mark on the historical discourse regarding sovereignty and the nature of political authority. His emphasis on scriptural justification for monarchical power also contributes to the study of the intersection between religion and political theory.