The Evolution of the King's Law of 1665 as a Constitutional Act of Absolute Monarchy in Denmark: Content, Significance, and Evolution

The King's Law of 1665 is a unique legislative act that not only laid the foundations of absolute monarchy in Denmark but also had a long-term impact on the formation of Danish statehood and the legal system of this Scandinavian country. Its study is of interest in the context of identifying common patterns of constitutional development in foreign states and determining the role of historical heritage in it. The analysis of the factors that influenced the development and adoption of this law, the features of its implementation, and its impact on the transformation of Denmark's political system deserves attention. The King's Law is comprehensively analyzed as a key constitutional act of the period of absolute monarchy in Denmark: its content, significance, and evolution during the period leading up to the adoption of the Constitution of 1849 are considered. Analytical, historical, and comparative legal methods are used to study legislation, scientific publications, and archival materials related to the period of Danish history from the 17th to the 19th century. The period of Danish history, during which the King's Law de facto had the status of a constitution, spans almost 200 years (1665–1849); however, its content and role are currently insufficiently researched and illuminated in domestic scientific literature. This study identifies and systematizes the key aspects of the King's Law of 1665, defines its fundamental importance for the establishment and functioning of absolutism, and shows the mechanisms of its evolution and adaptation to changing political and social conditions up to the liberal reforms of the mid-19th century. The nonlinear nature of constitutional development in Denmark is emphasized, where the King's Law, despite its absolutist nature, laid the foundations for further legal and administrative construction that influenced the formation of the modern Danish state.