Kingship

Why has the monarchy been such a prevalent institution throughout history and in such a diverse range of societies? Laurie Taylor talks to Declan Quigley, Honorary Research Associate at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, and editor of a new book, "The Character of Kingship", which examines the vital yet precarious role of the monarch. They discuss how the dual nature of kingship, as being sacred and being society's scapegoat, gives the monarchy very little room to manoeuvre.