Once upon a time, there were the Ming, the Habsburg, the Carolingian, the Romanov, the Hohenzollern... you name it.
No matter the continent or century the dynasties monopolized power "by the grace of God", even I if they obtained it by less noble means such as "by sword" or "by treason". The doctrine of "God's Mandate" adequately guaranteed impunity, regardless the royal antics.
- Thursday, October 20, 2016