Andreas Dengler, M.A.

PhD Project

The concept of sacred kingship in the British monarchy since the late 19th century

In 1897, Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking the longest reign of any monarch to date. Her funeral four years later was an event of unparalleled international significance for a deceased monarch. Her influence was felt far beyond Great Britain, extending all parts of the world. Was her legacy actually a sacred kingship, too?
Victoria's reign coincided with the flourishing of elaborate royal ceremonies and the emergence of scholarly examinations of sacred kingship by British academics and thinkers. But why did the idea of this ancient kingship regain prominence at the height of the British Empire? Is there more to it than mere historical coincidence?
This doctoral project examines the concept of sacred kingship through the works of John Figgis, Walter Bagehot and James Frazer, to explore its links to the theory of the invention of traditions. It is complemented by an analysis of royal rituals, including coronation ceremonies, royal funerals and jubilees, examining how sacred authority was exercised, staged and legitimised within the context of the British monarchy.

(The dissertation is written in German)