Author
George Buchanan
George Buchanan (1506–1582) was a Scottish humanist scholar and political theorist whose theological and political writings profoundly influenced early modern Protestant thought and the development of resistance theory. His treatise De Jure Regni apud Scotos (1579) articulated a contractual theory of sovereignty that challenged absolute monarchy, arguing that political authority derives from the people and can be revoked if rulers violate their obligations, thereby establishing him as a foundational figure in early modern political philosophy. As a tutor to King James VI and a prominent voice in the Scottish Reformation, Buchanan synthesized classical learning with Reformed theology to create a powerful intellectual framework that shaped both Scottish ecclesiastical governance and broader European theories of legitimate political authority.
From De Jure Regni apud Scotos
A DIALOGUE CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF THE CROWN IN SCOTLAND. BY GEORGE BUCHANAN. TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY ROBERT MACFARLAN, A.M. I GEORGE BUCHANAN WISHES MUCH GOOD HEALTH TO JAMES THE SIXTH, KING OF THE SCOTS. Several years ago, when public affairs were in the greatest confusion, I wrote on the prerogative of the Scottish crown a Dialogue, in which I endeavoured to explain from their very cradle, if I may use the expression, the mutual rights of our kings and of their subjects. Though that book seemed to have been serviceable at the time, by shutting the mouths of certain persons, who with importunate clamours rather inveighed against the existing state of things than weighed what was right in the scale of reason, yet influenced by the return of a little tranquillity, I also laid down my arms with pleasure on the altar of public concord. ting state of things…
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