Final answer:
The Petition of Right opposed the theories of absolute monarchy by asserting that the government should be based on the consent of the governed and protecting citizens' rights against tyrannical rule. This early Enlightenment document influenced later democratic principles and the development of constitutional governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Petition of Right presented in 1628 stands in disagreement with the theories of absolute monarchy. This historical document was a significant declaration aligning with the Enlightenment ideals, challenging the Divine Right of Kings, which was the philosophical foundation justifying the complete and unquestioned authority of monarchs.
The Petition of Right asserted the rights of 'commoners' in having a say in the government and levied grievances against the monarch for his tyrannical rule, presenting a counter to absolute monarchies and suggesting a shift towards constitutional governance. Key figures like John Locke were at the forefront of opposing the divine right theory, advocating for a government's legitimacy to be derived from the consent of the governed and the protection of natural rights.
By listing numerous grievances against the British king and emphasizing that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, the Petition questioned the legitimacy of absolute rule. Moreover, it influenced the development of constitutional democracies, inspiring later documents like the English Bill of Rights and the American Declaration of Independence, both of which further advanced the principles of limited government.