The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
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The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates is a book by John Milton, in which he defends the right of people to execute a guilty sovereign.
In the text, Milton conjectures about the formation of commonwealths. He comes up with a kind of constitutionalism but not an outright anti-monarchical argument. He gives a theory of how people come into commonwealths and come to elect kings. He explains what the role of a king should be, and conversely what a tyrant is.
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[edit] Background
After Parliament executed Charles I, Milton wrote The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates in order to justify the action and to defend the government.[1] Milton later remarked that the piece was "written to reconcile men's minds, rather than to determine anything about Charles".[2] The work was printed five times: the first edition was printed in 1649 with a second following in 1650; two editions in collections of Milton's works, including The Works (1697), A Complete Collection (1698); and an edited version in 1689.[3]
Only one edition altered Milton's views: a version possibly edited by James Tyrell, a historian, was changed during a controversy over the succession of William III. The work was retitled Pro Populo Adversus Tyrannos: Or the Sovereign Right and Power of the People over Tyrants. This work continued to be advertised, in 1691 as being Milton's work.[4]
[edit] Tract
Milton begins The Tenure by paraphrasing the words of Sallust to describe nature of tyranny:[5]
Hence is it that Tyrants are not oft offended, nor stand much in doubt of bad men, as being all naturally servile; but in whom vertue and true worth most is eminent, them they feare in earnest, as by right thir Maisters, against them lies all thir hatred and suspicion. Consequentlie neither doe bad men hate Tyrants, but have been alwayes readiest with the falsifi'd names of Loyalty, and Obedience, to colour over thir base compliances.[6]
Milton continues by discussing the nature of law and the private sphere:[5]
nd surely they that shall boast, as we doe, to be a free Nation, and not have in themselves the power to remove, or to abolish any governour supreme, or subordinat, with the government it self upon urgent causes, may please thir fancy with a ridiculous and painted freedom, fit to coz'n babies; but are indeed under tyranny and servitude; as wanting that power, which is the root and source of all liberty, to dispose and œconomize in the Land which God hath giv'n them, as Maisters of Family in thir own house and free inheritance. Without which natural and essential power of a free Nation, though bearing high thir heads, they can in due esteem be thought no better then slaves and vassals born, in the tenure and occupation of another inheriting Lord. Whose government, though not illegal, or intolerable, hangs over them as a Lordly scourge, not as a free government; and therfore to be abrogated. How much more justly then may they fling off tyranny, or tyrants; who being once depos'd can be no more the privat men, as subject to the reach of Justice and arraignment as any other transgressors.[7]
Milton calls on the people to support Parliament:[1]
Another sort there is, who comming in the cours of these affaires, to have thir share in great actions, above the form of Law or Custom, at least to give thir voice and approbation, begin to swerve, and almost shiver at the Majesty and grandeur of som noble deed, as if they were newly enter'd into a great sin; disputing presidents, forms, and circumstances, when the Common-wealth nigh perishes for want of deeds in substance, don with just and faithfull expedition. To these I wish better instruction, and vertue equal to thir calling; the former of which, that is to say Instruction, I shall indeavour, as my dutie is, to bestow on them; and exhort them not to startle from the just and pious resolution of adhering with all thir strength & assistance to the present Parlament & Army, in the glorious way wherin Justice and Victory hath set them;[8]
[edit] Themes
Jonathan Scott believed that The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates was one of the "key republican texts" during the 17th century.[9] However, Milton gave up parts of his Republican views in order to support Parliament, especially when he called for the people to support the government.[1] The argument in The Tenure is complicated and Milton attempts to reexplain his views in Eikonoklastes.[10]
The work is unique compared to other works during its time because Milton emphasizes the deeds of individuals as the only way for there to be justice. The work also emphasizes the freedom of the individual, and only through such freedom is an individual able to develop properly. Also, Milton emphasizes the importance of an education focusing on the ability to discriminate between ideas and the establishment of self-discipline.[11]
[edit] Critical reception
The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates immediately influenced the political works and theories of many others, including Bulstrode Whitelocke, John Canne, John Lilburne, John Twyn, and various anonymous works. The amount of attention that the work received prompted John Shawcross to declare that the work, itself, allowed Milton to be viewed as a "great writer".[12] Later on, the work was able to influence others without them knowing; a piece by Algernon Sidney, which copies words directly from The Tenure, influenced various tracts and many responders to Sidney did not know that the lines were originally from Milton.[13]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Dzelzainis 2003 p. 296
- ^ qtd in Shawcross 1993 p. 104
- ^ Shawcross 1993 p. 105
- ^ Shawcross 1993 p. 117
- ^ a b Dzelzainis 2003 p. 306
- ^ Milton 1962 p. 190
- ^ Milton 1962 pp. 236–237
- ^ Milton 1962 p. 194
- ^ Scott 1992 p. 37
- ^ Dzelzainis 2003 p. 307
- ^ Shawcross 1993 p. 104
- ^ Shawcross 1993 p. 105
- ^ Shawcross 1993 p. 106
[edit] References
- Dzelzainis, Martin. "Republicanism" in A Companion to Milton. Ed. Thomas Corns. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2003.
- Milton, John. Complete Prose Works of John Milton Vol III Ed. Don Wolfe. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1962.
- Scott, Jonathan. "The English Republican Imagination" in Revolution and Restoration: England in the 1650s. ed. John Morrill. London: Collins & Brown, 1992.
- Shawcross, John. John Milton: The Self and the World. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1993.
[edit] External links
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