Legitimist

A legitimist is an adherent or supporter of the principle of legitimacy, particularly in relation to hereditary monarchical rule. This ideology emphasizes the rightful claim of a monarch to the throne based on birthright, succession laws, and historical precedent, often rejecting revolutions or changes in dynasty. Legitimists believe that the established order of succession, typically from a royal family, is the only just and lawful basis for governance. They champion the restoration of a deposed monarch or dynasty and uphold the values associated with traditional monarchy, such as social hierarchy and the divine right of kings. This often contrasts with ideologies supporting republicanism, democracy, or other forms of government.

Legitimist meaning with examples

• Following the French Revolution, many staunch legitimists fervently supported the Bourbon dynasty and sought to restore the monarchy to its former glory. They organized resistance movements and maintained secret networks to undermine the republican government. They believed that the stability and prosperity of France could only be achieved under the rule of the rightful king, advocating for his return and the restoration of pre-revolutionary social order. Their loyalty to the old regime was unwavering.
• During the Carlist Wars in Spain, the supporters of Don Carlos, the King's brother, were considered legitimists, as they championed his claim to the throne based on traditional succession laws, rejecting his sister-in-law's claim. They waged a long and brutal civil war, believing that only a Carlist monarch could uphold Spain's traditions, preserve the Catholic faith, and maintain its national identity. The conflict underscored the legitimist adherence to hereditary rights.
• The Jacobites in Scotland represented a form of British legitimism, supporting the claim of the Stuart dynasty to the thrones of England and Scotland after they were deposed by the Glorious Revolution. They launched uprisings, seeking to overthrow the Hanoverian monarchs, believing that the Stuart line possessed the legitimate claim based on birthright. The Jacobite cause, fueled by fervent loyalists, symbolized a deep-seated commitment to monarchical legitimacy, even against all odds.
• In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna aimed to restore the old order in Europe, and legitimist principles were employed to reinstate monarchs who had been displaced during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period. Monarchies were returned to the thrones of France, Spain, and other countries, with the legitimist viewpoint stressing the importance of the rights of the hereditary rulers and re-establishing traditional systems of power.