The divine right of kings is a political and religious doctrine that asserts a monarch's authority to rule comes directly from God. According to this belief, the king is not accountable to any earthly authority such as the people, aristocracy, or church, and only God can judge the monarch's actions. Any attempt to depose or resist the king is seen as opposing God's will and may be considered a sacrilegious act or treason. This concept was particularly influential in medieval and early modern Europe and was used to legitimize absolute monarchy by positioning the king as God's appointed ruler on earth, making rebellion against the king equivalent to rebellion against God.