Philip Hunton
Encyclopedia
Philip Hunton was an English clergyman and political writer, known for his May 1643 anti-absolutist work A Treatise of Monarchy. It became a banned book under the Restoration.
. It was part of a pamphleteering exchange initiated by the royal chaplain Henry Ferne
.
Hunton was among the few who attempted to chart a 'middle course' between the royalists and the Long parliamentarians. In his Treatise, he cites both Charles Herle
(a Parliamentary supporter) and royalist Henry Ferne (against whom much of the Treatise was directed). This was though only to contradict both, and chart a new position. He outlined a theory of active/passive obedience, and active/passive resistance, arguing that, unless the defense of the whole community is at stake, it is unlawful to actively/violently resist the most tyrannous and unlawful actions of the ruler. According to William Haller, Hunton
Christopher Hill, however, calls him a "representative thinker".
His is among the few major works of the period to provide a holistic theory of the balance of powers. While other writers would make the case for Parliament in the present circumstances, and as to why Parliament should be considered supreme (indeed, Herle admits, for example, that the realm was arbitrarily subject to Parliament), Hunton argued that no power in a 'mixed government' could be supreme, and all the powers were coordinate. Indeed, it was best to be 'undecided' about the relative strength of the powers, rather than to try and enforce the supremacy of one, as that would alter the structure of government.
, who arguably moderated some of his claims regarding popular sovereignty in Jus Populi (in the face of John Maxwell
's January treatise and Ferne's work), and William Bridge
(whose work takes on a distinctively more radical note), Hunton essentially repeats all his points unchanged.
, Oliver Cromwell
's foundation in Durham
. His fortunes declined under Charles II
. In 1683 his books were included in a book-burning by the University of Oxford
.
A Treatise of Monarchie (1643)
At the time of publication, it provoked a much better-known rebuttal, the 1648 Anarchy of a Limited and Mixed Monarchy by Robert FilmerRobert Filmer
thumbnail|150px|right|Robert Filmer Sir Robert Filmer was an English political theorist who defended the divine right of kings...
. It was part of a pamphleteering exchange initiated by the royal chaplain Henry Ferne
Henry Ferne
-Life:Ferne was admitted to St Mary Hall, Oxford, in 1618, and to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1620. He graduated B.A. in 1623 and was elected fellow in 1624. He was awarded a D.D. at Cambridge in 1642...
.
Hunton was among the few who attempted to chart a 'middle course' between the royalists and the Long parliamentarians. In his Treatise, he cites both Charles Herle
Charles Herle
Charles Herle was a prominent English theologian, of moderate Presbyterian views.He graduated from Exeter College, Oxford with an M.A. in 1618. He was vicar of Winwick, Lancashire, from 1626.....
(a Parliamentary supporter) and royalist Henry Ferne (against whom much of the Treatise was directed). This was though only to contradict both, and chart a new position. He outlined a theory of active/passive obedience, and active/passive resistance, arguing that, unless the defense of the whole community is at stake, it is unlawful to actively/violently resist the most tyrannous and unlawful actions of the ruler. According to William Haller, Hunton
Christopher Hill, however, calls him a "representative thinker".
His is among the few major works of the period to provide a holistic theory of the balance of powers. While other writers would make the case for Parliament in the present circumstances, and as to why Parliament should be considered supreme (indeed, Herle admits, for example, that the realm was arbitrarily subject to Parliament), Hunton argued that no power in a 'mixed government' could be supreme, and all the powers were coordinate. Indeed, it was best to be 'undecided' about the relative strength of the powers, rather than to try and enforce the supremacy of one, as that would alter the structure of government.
Later attitudes
Unlike some other Parliamentary supporters, in his reprisals, Hunton remained consistent throughout, as one can see in his Vindication of the Treatise of Monarchy of March 1644. Unlike Henry ParkerHenry Parker (writer)
Henry Parker was an English barrister and political writer in the Parliamentarian cause.He was a major figure as a propagandist and pamphleteer, "the most influential writer to defend the parliamentary cause in the 1640s". He provided the "ideological ballast for resistance", according to Geoffrey...
, who arguably moderated some of his claims regarding popular sovereignty in Jus Populi (in the face of John Maxwell
John Maxwell (archbishop)
John Maxwell Archbishop of Tuam, son of John Maxwell of Cavens, Kirkcudbrightshire, was born in or before 1586. He was educated at the University of St Andrews, where he was laureated M. A. on 29 July 1611.- Early career :...
's January treatise and Ferne's work), and William Bridge
William Bridge
William Bridge was a leading English Independent minister, preacher, and religious and political writer.-Life:A native of Cambridgeshire, the Rev. William Bridge was probably born in or around the year 1600. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, receiving an M.A...
(whose work takes on a distinctively more radical note), Hunton essentially repeats all his points unchanged.
Later life
In favour under the Commonwealth, he was made provost of New CollegeDurham College (17th-century)
New College, Durham was a university institution set up by Oliver Cromwell, to provide an alternative to the older University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. It also had the aim of bringing university education to Northern England. The idea met with opponents, including John Conant.Such a...
, Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's foundation in Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
. His fortunes declined under Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
. In 1683 his books were included in a book-burning by the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Primary sources
- Treatise of Monarchy (1643)
- Vindication of Treatise (1644)
- Sacro-Sancta Regum Majestas (Maxwell)
- Jus Populi, Observations (Parker 1644 and 1642 respectively)
- Wounded Conscience (William Bridge)
- Fuller Reply to Dr. Ferne (Charles Herle)