SOURCE: Forhan, Kate Langdon. “Salisburian Stakes: The Uses of ‘Tyranny’ in John of Salisbury's Policraticus.” History of Political Thought 11, no. 3 (autumn 1990): 397-407.

In the following essay, Forhan explores John's views on the relationship between tyranny, flattery, and ambition.

For students of political thought, the theory of tyrannicide is perhaps the most-often recognized aspect of John of Salisbury's monumental Policraticus, which was presented in 1159 to Chancellor Thomas Becket, during the reign of Henry II of England. Considered by many to be John's most significant contribution to the history of statecraft, the theory was essential to the defence of political violence in later political thought. It has a rich history of use in theory and practice, well into the twentieth century.¹

Scholars have argued about John's ‘real’ views on tyrannicide equally as long. Does John state that tyrannicide is justifiable? Some parts of the work appear to concur; others state...