Final answer:
King James I's speech to Parliament claimed the divine right of kings, justified by theological arguments and supported by historical precedents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essential claim put forth by King James I in his speech to Parliament in 1610 revolves around the divine right of kings, which is the theory that monarchs are appointed by and answerable only to God, not to their subjects or the institutions governing their subjects such as Parliament.
King James I used this doctrine to justify his belief in absolutist governance, where the king held unfettered authority over the kingdom.
To uphold this central claim, King James I provided reasons anchored in a theological framework. He argued that since a king's power was derived from God, it was imperative for subjects to show unconditional obedience and for the king to have the ultimate say in legislative matters.
This line of reasoning was supported by James’ interpretation of biblical texts, which he saw as evidence that monarchs were God's chosen rulers on earth.
As evidence, King James I referred to historical precedents and the existing political structure of England to bolster the legitimacy of his arguments.
By citing occurrences and situations where past kings exercised considerable power and the established hierarchy that granted the monarchy significant sway within the realm, King James attempted to legitimize his absolutist stance.