8 - The Commonwealth

Summary

'Degree, priority and place'

The Lent Sword of the City of Bristol, which is still carried before the judges at the Assizes, bears upon its scabbard the date 1594, the arms of the Queen and of the city and the first four verses of the thirteenth chapter of Romans:

1. 1. LET EVERY SOLVE BE SUBJECT TO THE HIGHER POWER FOR THERE IS NO POWER BVT OF GOD AND THE POWERS THAT BE ARE OF GOD.

2. 2. WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISETH THE POWER RESISTETH THE ORDINANC OF GOD: AND THEY THAT RESIST SHAL RECEVE CONDEMNATION.

3. 3. FOR MAGISTRATES ARE NOT TO BE FERE FOR GOOD WORKES BVT FOR EVIL WILT THOU BE WITH OVT FEARE DO WEL SO SHALT THOW HAUE PRAIS FOR THE SAME. / 4. FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD FOR THY WELTH BUT IF THOV DO EVIL FEARE FOR HE BERETH NOT THE SWORD FOR NOVGHT.

It is thus an apt symbol of the political outlook of Shakespeare's age; of the basic belief, abundantly fortified by scriptural precedent, in the divine sanction behind all established authority and of the conception of the administration of justice as the primary function of the State. It reminds us, too, of the numerous ways in which these principles were proclaimed and made part of the popular consciousness and of the pattern of everyday life.

The doctrine of Divine Right is much the most important element in Tudor political thought. It was expounded in treatises and sermons with unwearying reiteration and no text was more often quoted in support of it than this of St Paul. The passage (Rom. xiii. 1-7) continues as follows in the Authorized Version:

1. 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

2. 6. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers attending continually upon this very thing.

3. 7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.