By Charles A. Coulombe
“Legitimism” is a very curious word that pops up from time in history. It has to deal with the questions fought — politically or militarily — in many countries over the past few centuries. Considering that it deals with the issue of legitimacy — legitimate rule — it might actually have some interest for Americans, given our recent presidential election.
Legitimism is a fairly recent phenomenon. On the surface, it would appear to mean nothing more than loyalty to a particular royal line, even after its deposition by presumed usurpers. But there is more to it than that. Certainly, before the 16th century there had been succession disputes, which pitted adherents of one branch of a royal family against another — most famous of these were the Hundred Years War between the closely related English and French ruling lines, and the War of the Roses pitting the former’s York and Lancaster branches against one another. But despite the strange paradoxes of those conflicts — Richard III’s ultimate recognition of Henry VI’s sanctity, and the French opposition to the latter being led by St. Joan of Arc — the combatants in these conflicts had identical views regarding Church and State, the role of the Monarch, and various other issues that would, in addition to genealogical issues, animate the future Legitimists. Continue reading
Also see:
• Around the Web: Are You a Monarchist?
