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Queen Elizabeth I was sovereign queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603. Queen Elizabeth formally severed the Pope’s power over England and was excommunicated from the Catholic Church 1570. In addition to excommunicating Queen Elizabeth, a power which Hobbes argues the Pope does not ultimately have, the Pope also released the Queen’s subjects and declared her power illegitimate. Since the covenant that imbues a sovereign with power comes from the people, not the Pope, Hobbes argues that the Pope has no natural power over the sovereign of another common-wealth, even if that sovereign is Christian.
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Elizabeth I Character Timeline in Leviathan
The timeline below shows where the character Elizabeth I appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 47: Of the BENEFIT that proceedeth from such Darknesse, and to whom it accreweth
First, Queen Elizabeth severed the Pope’s power over England. The bishops, who once derived their power from the...
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...“in the Fancies of ignorant people.” Thus, it was not difficult for Henry VIII or Queen Elizabeth to be cast out by the Pope. However, Hobbes warns, “this Spirit of Rome” is...
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