Trump v. Barbara · ¶422

That rule did not concern “citizenship.” There was no such thing as a “citizen” of England, Scotland, or Ireland. The inhabitants of the British Isles were the King’s “subjects.” As Sir Edward Coke explained in Calvin’s Case, 7 Co. Rep. 1a, 77 Eng. Rep. 377 (K. B. 1608), they acquired that status automatically at birth, and they retained it, like it or not, until they died. Id., at 4b, 77 Eng. Rep., at 382; see id., at 9b, 77 Eng. Rep., at 388 (even a subject who abjures the realm “oweth the King his ligeance”). This status arose from a feudal understanding of the origin of governmental authority and the relationship between those who govern and those who are governed. The King’s authority was understood to come from God. Id., at 12b–13a, 77 Eng. Rep., at 390–391. As Coke put it, a King ruled by the law of nature. Ibid. And birth established the bond between King and subject, id., at…

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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