[AnAmericanMother]

Actually, the concept of the "Divine Right of Kings" originated much later. It was first posited in the late 16th century by French jurist Jean Bodin, but it did not gain much traction until adopted by James I & VI of England & Scotland. It played a large role in bringing his son Charles I to grief.

THAT one can't be blamed on medieval philosophers or the Pope.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Perhaps I misused this actual term. As stated on Wiki (I know, not really an authority):

“The remoter origins of the theory (Divine Right of Kings) are rooted in the medieval idea that God had bestowed earthly power to the king, just as God had given spiritual power and authority to the church, centering on the pope.”

Nonetheless, in the Middle Ages, it was the Church that physically lowered the Crown onto the head of Monarch at the time of coronation, symbolizing that it was the Church, and ultimately the Pope who, while not always claiming political authority, claimed ultimate spiritual power over the monarchs, and thus in the end superiority.