26 jan 2006

I am sick,

my throat is swollen,

it hurts to talk and

I am losing my voice.

I will run through Hobbes’ biography at a later date.

So, today, you will have to talk collectively among yourselves and say enough of the scintillatingly insightful things I would undoubtedly have said.

The plan is to march through:

Wootton, DR&D, 22-38

INTRODUCTION

Absolutism and the Ancient Constitution.

CHAPTER ONE: THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

1. An Homily Against Disobedience and Wylful Rebellion (1570).

2. James VI and I, The Trew Law of Free Monarchies (1598).

3. James VI and I, A Speech to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament at White-Hall (1610).

4. Robert Filmer, Observations upon Aristotle’s Politiques (1652).

5. The Judgment and Decree of the University of Oxford . . . against Certain Pernicious Books and Damnable Doctrines (1683).

Wootton, DR&D,

CHAPTER TWO: THE COMMON LAW

1. Sir John Davies, Le Primer Report des Cases et Matters en Ley Resolues et Adiudges en les Courts del Roy en Ireland (1615).

2. Sir Edward Coke, Le Tierce Part des Reportes (1602).

3. John Lilburne, The Just Defence of John Lilburn, against Such as Charge Him with Turbulency of Spirit (1653).

4. John Warr, The Corruption and Deficiency of the Lawes of England Soberly Discovered: or Liberty Working up to Its Just Height (1649).

Wootton, DR&D,

CHAPTER THREE: PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTIONALISM

1. The Petition of Right (1628).

2. Charles I, His Majesties Answer to the Nineteen Propositions of Both Houses of Parliament (1642).

3. Philip Hunton, A Treatise of Monarchy (1643).

It would be great if you could speak to the following questions, and refer to specific readings in doing so:

1. today, the study of ‘politics’ means study the state, citizens, rights etc, what was ‘politics’ in 17^th cent?

2. What three sources of ideas or theories were invoked to defend absolutism?

a. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/6r-Fall.jpg

b. http://gate.cia.edu/cbergengren/arthistory/medieval/index1new/

c. http://history.wisc.edu/sommerville/367/367-04.htm

http://www.textbookleague.org/kings360.jpg

3. What were the two versions of appeals to ancient constitution and law?

a. http://www.tomgpalmer.com/images/SirEdwardCoke.jpg

b. http://www.unipv.it/webdsps/storiadoc/Doc%20GB/1628%20Petition%20of%20Rights%20(o).htm

4. What was so radical about Lilburne and Warr in relation to both the absolutist and ancient constitution arguments

a. http://rubens.anu.edu.au/htdocs/bytype/textiles/bayeux/

5. Did any of these readings sound unusually ideological or self-serving to you?

6. Did any of these readings sound notably authentic, principled or heart-felt to you?

7. How might these disputes be compared to contemporary disputes in the US? Are there parallel invocations of divine right, or appeals to particular versions of the constitution being made today?

a.

8.