V. An Example from the Kingdom of the Danes
who slew them, though from their household, were visited with just punishments, even though both men had been wicked. On the other hand, we read that the corpse of Joash was carried back to Jerusalem on horseback, out of reverence for both the royal dignity and his family, and that his son Azariah was set as king in his stead, by the entire people of Judah. This again clearly shows that what had been done by the stronger part of the Estates — that is, by the people of Jerusalem — was subsequently confirmed by general consent, as concerning a just cause, and as having been carried into effect by those who were competent to do so. Hence, I conclude that the Orders or Estates of the people of Israel, had authority to choose for themselves from the family of David, the one whom they wished. And afterwards, once he had been elected, they had authority either to drive him out, or even to execute the sentence of death upon him, as the occasion demanded.
V. An Example from the Kingdom of the Danes Thus, within our memory, the Danes didn't merely divest Christiernus of his royal dignity
(he was a most cruel tyrant), but they imprisoned him until his death, and transferred the royal power to his uncle, a most wise and just king, the grandfather of the present ruler.1
VI. Swedish Examples As regards the Swedes too, all men know how in our time Gustavus liberated himself and his people from their subjection to the Danes;2 and even today, the Swedes keep their king captive for not having wisely ruled over the kingdom which had been transferred to his brother; may the Lord bless him.3
VII. Scottish Examples The Scots also, in former times removed their queen from office and condemned her to lifelong imprisonment, because she was accused of a great number of foul adulteries, and even of the cruelest murder of her husband.4 And I boldly declare that if that accusation had been justly proved, they would have acted more properly if they inflicted the deserved punishment upon her.
VIII. Examples from the Kingdom of England As regards the kingdom of England, it is the most blessed of as many as may be seen today in the whole world. Would that it may long continue in that blessedness. Even if according to the right of succession, it devolves upon the one who is nearer related in royal blood, it is apparent from numerous noteworthy narratives, and from the testimony of Polidorus in his Life of Henry 5 (King of the English, and first of that name), that nearly all authority of government is dependent upon the consent of Parliament, as it is called. And certainly, if we take that blessed tranquillity which they have been enjoying for many years now under the kindest and most peaceful reign of her most serene Majesty Elizabeth, and wish to compare it with the wretched and unhappy condition of so many other parts, we will
1 Christian II, ruler of Denmark in 1523, was replaced by his uncle Frederick I, and the successor of that time was
Frederick II, grandson of Frederick I, who ruled from 1559.
2 Gustavus I severed the union with Denmark and became the King of Sweden in 1523.
3 Eric XIV, became King of Sweden in 1560, and was replaced by his brother John III in 1568.
4 Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was accused of complicity in the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley, in 1567.
5 Polydore Vergile, Anglica Historia, book XI (Henricus primus).