A Catholic American's Defense of Monarchy - Essay

[A note, and some background: I had a teacher this past year to teach American government. Needless to say, her seeming opinion on monarchy was that it is an inherent evil and incapable of being just or Christian or any of that. So for our year end project, this essay was born, to advocate just the opposite point of view. Without offense intended towards the teacher in question - her class was very informative and helpful aside from that - I shall produce the essay to ye like-minded or at least tolerant buddies. Unfortunately, because it's academic, it's a bit short and a bit less fun than perhaps is par. Enjoy, or enjoy skipping over to wait 'til next post.]

“For forms of government let fools contest; whate’er is best administered is best.”1 Thus does

the great poet, Alexander Pope, declare all governments acceptable if morally kept. For many years,

this has also been the teaching of the Catholic Church2: that there is no one government which is

specially fashioned for mankind, and no governmental form which is infallible. As an American, this

view can be difficult to accept. Many traditional Americans are taught from a young age that the

American form of government, a constitutional republic, is best, and no other form of government

coming before or after can rival it for Christian legitimacy, ethical standard, and a realistic

applicability in the world. It is this essay’s purpose, however, to challenge that notion in favor of

monarchy, a singularly unpopular idea in America. It is my aim to prove that monarchy can be

legitimate, ethical, and even realistic as a governmental form despite common doubts.

Monarchy’s legitimacy as a Christian form of government is often called into question 

in recent times despite having a long history of accompanying Christianity. Christendom is no 

stranger to kingdoms and empires in its long history, and not all of these institutions 

persecuted or were opposed to the Catholic faith. Even when the Roman Empire held the rod 

of power in the civilized world –that once great enemy of the Faith – Christian bishops and 

leaders told their flocks to obey the government and regard it as legitimate. Consider the 

words of Paul to the Romans, even after he has been arrested and scourged by the authorities: 

“Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that 

are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of 

God. For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil.”3 Note that Paul makes no 

exception for kings or emperors; his statement is unqualified and general, admonishing all 

Christians to obey their superiors in all things but sin. Think of Christ’s order to “[r]ender 

unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”4 Christ seems 

to acknowledge Caesar’s authority, though Caesar was himself an emperor. “And do ye servants

submit yourselves to your masters with reverence and fear, as being the type of God,” reiterates the

Didache, an ancient pillar of Christian teaching.5 Once more, no exception is made for any kind of

master or what form this master uses to govern; in fact, if any governmental form is being promoted,

a sole master is implied in the latter two quotes. Christian teaching appears to urge obedience to the

law and the government, no matter what the form. If monarchy is not made an exception by Paul,

Christ, or the Church Fathers, then what Catholic has a right to make it so?

Monarchy’s history with the Catholic Church is not irrelevant to discussion of its legitimacy.

Many great saints have revered monarchical or even imperial authority at the risk of isolating

themselves from other Christians.6 Beyond this, a multitude of great saints have held the office of

king, emperor, or other sole ruler: saints such as Karl of Austria, Henry II of the Holy Roman Empire,

Louis IX of France, Adelaide of the Holy Roman Empire, Wenceslas I of Bohemia, and many, many

others. The Church proclaims it impossible for a saint’s complete life to promote evil,7 and yet many

of these saints died in their office unashamedly and in the good graces of the Church. It must

necessarily follow, then, that monarchy is not an inherent evil, and is at least capable of constituting a

legitimate Christian governmental form.

If monarchy is a legitimate and acceptable governmental form, the next question 

becomes that of its ethical status. Circumstances and times change, and many forms of 

government waiver in their justice depending upon how they are administered. The fact that 

saints have held kingship allows the possibility of justice, but not all men are saints. Perhaps a 

lesser man would fail at keeping an empire just; many have. This is true, however, of every 

governmental form since the beginning of time: it takes a good man to be a good ruler. In the 

case of a republic or democracy, the only difference is that it takes many good men to be a 

good ruler, which is far less easy to accomplish. The difference is made by the law, not by the 

number of men squabbling over the throne. In a just civilization, just laws govern the actions 

of every man, subject and ruler (or rulers) alike. With a truly just moral code governing the 

land, a sovereign, as well as his people, cannot help but be just.

This brings monarchy to its final test – its realistic applicability in the modern world. 

Because monarchies are not commonly seen in this time, it is often assumed that they cannot 

exist in this time. This is a most erroneous perception; it is like saying because faithful 

Catholicism is not commonly seen in this time, it cannot exist therein. Monarchy can, in fact, 

work well as a governmental form, and takes a far greater part in the modern world than is 

often assumed by republic- or democracy-minded Americans. Consider the structure brought 

about in the English monarchy so long ago; the Magna Carta, a governing law brought by the 

king’s courtiers, became the justice of the land. English monarchy exists to this day, despite its 

weakening by democracy. Many governments cannot survive without the support of a 

monarchy or ruling family. Consider many of the Germanic states, where the once-imperial 

Habsburg family still has prestige, a pillar stabilizing the central European countries despite 

the American attempt to filter them out of society, an effort which plunged Germany and 

Austria into humiliation and societal decay. Consider Lichtenstein and Monaco, Catholic 

constitutional monarchies which have had peace for decades,8 and enjoy financial and economic

success like few other countries in the world.9 In fact, many countries that began as monarchies were

prosperous and active until attempting to take on a democratic, republican, or dictatorial form of

government, and only then plunged into societal or financial degradation.10

Monarchy, then, can be legitimate, ethical, and realistic in theory and even in the 

modern world. Its Christian legitimacy is supported by Church teaching and history. The 

justice and ethical standard of a monarchy can be as virtuous as any other governmental form, 

and has many saints for its patrons (presidents and prime ministers are notably absent from 

the ranks of the Church’s declared saints). The stability and realistic tenability of a monarchy 

is proven by many successful examples in the modern world. In short, even the most 

American of minds cannot deny the truth of what the poet wrote, that “whate’er is best 

administered is best,”11 be it monarchy or republic.

J.M.J.

Sources/Footnotes:

1  Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle III, l.303-304.

2  See Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1896, “…There is no solution to the social question apart from the Gospel.” See also Pope Pius XII’s Pentecost Radio Address of June 1, 1941 and Pope Leo XIII’s 1892 encyclical, Au Milieu des Sollicitudes.

3  Romans 13:1-2, Douay-Rheims Translation. All Bible quotes are taken from the Douay-Rheims Translation.

4  Mark 12:17

5  Didache 4:11

6  Think of St. Ignatius of Antioch, who wrote to his flock telling them not to rebel and break him out of prison, even as he faced being “ground by the teeth of the wild beasts.” (St. Ignatius to the Romans, ch. 4)

7  See CCC, 828: canonization of the saints is there defined as “solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace… proposing the saints to [the faithful] as models…” All of the saints mentioned are fully and officially canonized by the Church except Bl. Karl of Austria, who has only been beatified as of yet.

        8 About 100 years and 70 years, respectively.

9 See CIA – The World Factbook – Country Comparison: GDP – per capita (PPP)

10 Consider more proverbial examples such as France’s Revolution of 1789, but also modern cases, such as Germany after World War I, or Russia’s regime, which both suffered governmental upheaval after the forcible removal of their monarchs.

       11 Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle III, l.104.

(Apologies for the formatting and aesthetics issues. The blog, for whatever reason, has recently
decided that is doesn't like me, and will no longer serve me. Posts may be a bit trippy during its
little teenage rebellion before I get things figured out.)

Meet the Books! - Burn the Shakespeareans

Late, but better late than never, it's that time again - the time for Meet the Books! to see the light of day for a bit. It's quite possible that this will be the last full feature, as this is my last archive book idea to use, much less an actual WIP. I will, however, try to continue to post the questions and prompts about once every three months so that other bloggers may use the feature. And, remember, it's always free to be taken whenever one likes, late or on time, as long as one follows the rules.

(For a recapitulation of said rules, they are to link up your post here, so I can see it, give credit - using the picture, if wished - and answer the questions for one of your stories. Enough said.)

Anyways, let's get to it...

What is the title?
The title of this particular archive story of mine is Burn the Shakespeareans (and one of my much more better ones, if I do say so). I will explain that in a bit.

What is the genre? Time period?
The genre is a sort-of dystopian drama. I hesitate to use the word dystopian because of the implied sci-fi-esque setting and action and monsters and all that, but it fits in the very barest sense, of a vaguely post-disastrous, satirical, presumably future world setting. Which brings me to the time period - it is unspecified, to be gleaned by the keen reader or imagined by the insightful one. In my head, it looks rather like Lemony Snicket's stories - about 1930's-seeming, but modern.

How is it written (POV, main character, etc.)?
As usual with me, it's going to be third person limited. There are, however, a few main characters, as the story is split up between a few different trains of thought. When it's actually started, of course.

What is the setting?
Very possibly America. That's really all I can say generally without giving away too much. The more specific setting is an old, abandoned theatre in a small, Catholic town, where a group of now-grown childhood schoolmates are attempting to revitalize their long-lost Shakespeare company and the world's love of beautiful things.

Who are the characters?
There are a lot of main characters, but the one I'm most tempted to call the protagonists is

Justine Kendall, the usual leading lady of a resurfaced childhood Shakespearean troupe. She was always the leading lady in the old troupe too. Troubled, doubtful, and newly expectant on top of it all, she's undecided about the troupe's rebirth, and is unsure whether to even take part. She is partly the coordinator of the troupe, along with her husband,

Stefan Locke, one of the leading men of the troupe. A strong man, very confident in his faith and in his wife, and definitely the pillar holding the troupe up. He used to be an assistant director when the childhood troupe was around, and it was mostly his idea to try and bring it back.

Drew Kendall is Justine's wayward younger brother. Originally uninvited, he showed up to see Justine and stuck around for kicks. He's a long fallen-away family member, and rather a black sheep of the town after leaving it for the world. He was never a consistent part of the original troupe either, but he wants Justine to pull strings and get him a job doing leading roles. Needless to say, he's a bit of a crack in the glass of old childhood friendships.

                                                        

Benedicta, or Bena Staunton is Justine's best friend, and one of the most faithful old returning members of the troupe. She's one of the only ones who's really kept things together in the town this whole time, and so she's wary of anything that might cause a new split, for more reason than one. She's supporting a few family members single-handedly, and is constantly in fear of going blind, a process already started, as it would lose for her any ability to provide, work, or help herself.

Elliott Scott is another returning member, mostly for chorus and small parts. He's also stayed in the town most of the time, but only after having an, um, unpleasant experience outside. He believes the troupe is doomed to fail. He is deadly afraid of the outside world, and what may happen if their endeavor to bring the Bard back succeeds.

Charles Fawkes, or just Fawkes is the old troupe's leading man, returned mostly at Stefan's request and to help get everybody's lives back together. He left the town, but he's got a good head on his shoulders, and thinks the world of the troupe, particularly a certain

                                                           

Dahlia Grey, an old chorus member too young to have met Fawkes before. She is Elliott's best friend from a long time past, though does not return romantic affection to either him or Fawkes.

Tristan Leare is the only new member joining the troupe. He is a slight older than the rest of them, and moved to the town as a young man just as their childhood troupe was performing its last play. He's been gone for years, and has come back seemingly just to lose himself in the beauty of the stage. No one knows too much about him, but town rumors say he's a foreign fugitive.

What does the plot consist of?
There are many plots, not one. The main event tying everything together is the effort to bring back the art of the stage to the town and the country by rebirthing the Shakespearean troupe, but lots of little subplots will litter the story, including some of the ones hinted at in the character descriptions. And, obviously, it will get more intense than that, and there will be some fire and burning because why else would I name it Burn the Shakespeareans...? But I'm not going to say too much about that part because I don't want to give spoilers.

What gave you the idea?

Mostly, the title. I always kind-of wanted to write a drama/dystopian sort-of thing, and had sketched out some random character and plot ideas, so I grafted the spur-of-the-moment title onto the sketches, and it fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Also, my sister. That was the first title I'd ever thought up that she agreed was any good, so I had to use it.

Who are the favorite characters so far?
None really, since it's not been written and therefore not read.

What is the favorite scene so far?
Again, none yet.

Any drawings?
Not at the moment, unfortunately.

Any themes of music for this work?
Eh, sort-of. It's complicated. But one song that definitely has recurred in threads of the plot is Saint-Saens' "The Swan."

Any snippets?
Nope, not yet.

Strong point in story?
The imagery is going to come through very strongly, I think. The few draft scenes I've written and the theme elements I'm playing with have so far been very successful as far as painting a picture of the story go.

Weak point in story?
Well, for one thing, it's not written yet. Also, I think that getting some of the characters through correctly without sidetracking the story is going to be challenging. Also, I have a sinking feeling that Elliott is just a plagiarized Harry Beaton from Brigadoon...

What are your plans for it?
To write it, once I get a couple more current WIPs finished.

Any particular writing habits for it?
I'll let you know when I start writing it...

If it were made into a movie, what would be your ideal cast for it?
Hmm, way too far ahead... I'm not sure I have any solid cast choices at the moment, unfortunately.

***

Well, that's all for now, folks. Hope you enjoyed the post, and that you'll follow up with your own - I'll be checking the comment box here for links, and awaiting some splendid story info. For now, though, I shall sign off, and wish you all a good evening. 

The Writerly Sibling Tag

Hello! I am back with a tag that has waited a shameful span of time for me to complete it. Without further ado, I present The Doorman's Writerly Sibling Tag, tagged direct from the man himself. To start off, here are the rules:

• Thank the blogger who tagged you and provide a link to their post. (Thankee kindly, good sir!)
• Answer the inquiries, including any ones added by #6.
• Always use your own characters. No exceptions, unless you don't actually have sibling characters (in which case you need to go and write some) or you don't write (in which case you need to start ASAP).
• Tag three other bloggers.
• If you happen to have any siblings who blog, they are automatically tagged, and they cannot count toward your three.
• Add one question of prompt to the list you were tagged with (see at the bottom of this post, or at the bottom of Doorman's, as I was tagged first).
• Close out the post with some honoring of the King of Kings. 

Alright. Now that that's settled, I will start answering the questions.

 

           

 Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (Either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters)

Eh... That's a hard one. Really, siblings all annoy one another (let's be honest), so it's more realistic to pick ones annoying to the author. (Unless you're talking about those siblings whose life mission is to annoy their siblings. Then... that's a different story.) Owain from The Second Brother actually annoys me a lot, probably because he gets a lot from his writerly mama. It is an ongoing thing that I cannot stand any of my characters who act like me in any way, intentionally written so, or unintentionally. Because of this, I find Owain incredibly irritating at times. As for annoying to other characters... Feo might win that prize. 

Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories

That one's fairly easy. Blakely from The Clarion Call/Alagna is, despite his frequent eye-rolling and scolding, extremely fond of his brothers, Francis and Edmond, and cares for them probably better than he does for himself. Heaven knows what kind of trouble they would get into if he weren't around to keep a check on them... and how bored they'd be if he didn't fall into their pranks all the time.

Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories

Well, I sort-of already mentioned the Almost Twins (Francis and Edmond), but they'd probably get this award. Through thick and thin, the twosome find their greatest pleasure in the simple things in life... especially giving Blakely a hard time and, in their younger days (mostly), giving their mother gray hairs with their various escapades and misdemeanors. They have won particular infamy for a certain episode involving stew...

Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling

Intentionally, I try to steer clear of basing characters off of siblings, as it can create too much trouble (what if I wanted to kill off the character...?). However, a couple characters became a reflection of real life without my permission, particularly Feo from The Second Brother. He was never meant to be based off of anybody, but is, in his present state, my first younger sister to a 't.' Just as Owain unwittingly soaked in my own personality, Feo seemed to become ZZ (my sister's nickname) out of sheer fatedness to be so. The only particularly great difference between them is that Feo is, obviously, a guy.

Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories

Well, there are a few competitors. Celeise from Alomina has four younger siblings, a boy and three girls (I think? I keep changing it...). Alejandro from A Broadway Waltz has five younger brothers (and an unofficial older one). Freddie Mayne from The Top-Hat Gang has seven sisters, either all younger, or all but one younger. The winner, though, I believe, is Vic Vance (from In Greater Hands), who has eleven siblings (three boys, eight girls). The catch there is that he is adopted, as well as a fair few of his siblings, so none of them are his biological family. (But then, nobody said that this tag had to be for biological family, right...?)

Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters' dialogue from any of your stories

Alrighty... Let's have Francis and Edmond, since it's been a long time since they've gotten any spotlight on the old blog...

***

            "Welcome to our humble abode, my lady." Francis did a little half-bow to her, playing along with her masquerade, as usual.

            Then all pretentions dropped. Alagna relaxed her form a little, smiling teasingly at the both of them. "Surely that's not your best bow?"

            "Of course it is," interjected Edmond grinningly. "He's just never learned as well as I, even for being the elder one." Edmond bowed with a flourish fitting for a king's crier.

***

             Confusion only grew in Blakely's eyes at Alagna's behavior. "Alagna    ," he began, but was cut off by a different voice.

            "Ah, Blakely?" Francis and Edmond came up behind him all of the sudden. Alagna might have laughed at their uncanny knack for it if it had been any other situation.

            Blakely half-turned from Alagna. "Yes? What is it, Francis?"

            Edmond's expression turned from a rather more serious one to a rather sly smile upon taking in Blakely and Alagna's close proximity. "And, ah, what might you be doing now, Blakely?"

            "Or, ah, saying?," joined Francis hintingly.

            "And to whom?"

            "And whatever about?"

            Blakely looked both of them over. "Nothing more than Alagna's name, I'm afraid, because     "

            "Because you were interrupted?" Francis laughed. "I wonder who did that..."

***

Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings and family

Well, Outlaws of Ravenhurst had a pretty awesome family in it, even if it was small. The mother, Lady Margeret Douglass was a great character - a Scottish lady and an accomplice to her outlawed priest brother. The family seemed so close, it was awesome (especially considering the protagonist hadn't met the other three members in nearly ten years). 

As tortured as the siblinghood was sometimes, the Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale had a good portrayal of siblings. Personally, I would only recommend the first one (as I thought the others were slightly stupid, plus, the second one had some content issues), but the first and last both had pretty good sibling characters and relatively low content caution. In the first one, the protagonist, Ani, barely knows her five siblings, and is distraught because she may never know them (she is sent away to be married off near the beginning). It really hits hard for anyone who grew up close to their siblings to think of never knowing them, and never seeing them again. Then, for a closer sibling relationship, Razo and Rinna in the fourth book were very close, constantly teasing each other and giving each other a  hard time, just like real siblings, and it was adorable. I think, despite the other issues of the middling books, the series as a whole has a believable pluck for large families. The happiest families are the Forest-Born ones, which range from a couple kids to eleven or twelve (mostly on the larger end, including Rinna and Razo's), and the least happy ones always seem to be those that are not close or don't have many siblings (like Ani's, where she wasn't allowed to know her siblings, or Selia's, as an only child). 

And what talk of siblings and family would be complete without Louisa May Alcott's Little Women? The story of four sisters and their way in the wayward world, always finding their way back to Marmee (their mother) and their beloved home. Need I say more?

Name another author's character family that you wouldn't mind jumping into

Hey! I thought we weren't allowed to use anybody else's characters...! Well, anyhow, I'd like to be in Peter Wimsey's family - seems like some smashing good fun, even though it's just him, his brother, and his mother (as far as I've read).

Provide an excerpt/quote of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)

Oh dear. I'm afraid I'm far too lazy to get books out at the moment, and this post has already been waiting too long. I believe I shall direct you to Little Women and sit back for the rest of this question.

Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat)

Hmm. I think that Taran from The Chronicles of Prydain and Finn from The Goose Girl would have been good siblings. Finn, quiet as he is, would be balanced by Taran's outgoing nature, and Taran's slight hotheadedness would be tempered by Finn's common sense. Their skills and interests are also very similar - both grew up on a small farm but desire knighthood and the life of a warrior. It would be a siblinghood I'd like to see. 

***
As for tagging other bloggers, if you aren't tagged, consider yourself so. Particularly, I suppose I shall recognize Catherine Hawthorn, Sarah Seele, and Lia, at their leisure and capabilities, of course.
***

And there are all the questions for now. If' you'd like them in a list, here you are.

•  Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (Either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters)
• Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories 
• Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories  
• Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling
• Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories 
• Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters' dialog from any of your stories 
• Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings or family
• Name another author's character family that you wouldn't mind jumping into 
• Provide an excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)
• Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat)

And I shall add this, per the terms of the tag:

Name sibling characters at odds with each other in any of your stories

And I believe that just concludes the tag, but for one last salutation.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

An Announcement and a Return

Hello again from the ink-and-paper abyss this blog seems to have fallen into - I know it's been a while. I just wanted to catch up, and try to get the gears turning here again. I took a break back in February to try and get myself up to speed and back to normal from various factors in my corner, and I think things are to the point where it's time to brush the dust off and return to the blogging world.

Things are better lately, and seem to be improving pretty surely, so I hope to stick around now. Hopefully, things will be right back to the way they were before. I know a lot's gone on during my break with Corona Virus and all that business, so I'll try to take it slow for a bit, as I know everyone's probably pretty busy. Hopefully the blog will run smoothly, though, and I can continue to use it as a way to keep up with all of you even despite the odd circumstances in the world right now.
So, I suppose, the question is, how are all of you? And what's the situation in your corners? I hope to hear from you and try to keep up with everything as best I can. Thanks for being patient with me!