Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Regent
(1,865 words)

1. Concept

Regency is the temporary transfer of sovereign rights (Authority). In the context of the hereditary principle and primogeniture (Throne, succession to), it is a key instrument in support of dynastic rule (Dynasty). The noun “regent” first appeared around 1400 (from the existing Middle French/Middle English adjective “regent” meaning “ruling”). Before and concurrently, other terms were also used, such as rector, rect…

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Kolk, Caroline zum and Kühn, Sebastian, “Regent”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 02 June 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_026320>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20210107



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