Note 296 — Chapter XV · PERSONS.

Calvin’s Case, 2 State Trials, at p. 624: “The King hath two capacities in him: one a natural body, being descended of the blood royal of the realm; and this body is of the creation of Almighty God, and is subject to death, infirmity, and such like: the other is a politick body or capacity, so called because it is framed by the policy of man; and in this capacity the King is esteemed to be immortal, invisible, not subject to death, infirmity, infancy.” As to the history of this idea see Holdsworth’s History of English Law, III. pp. 357–362.