670. Usurpation

1. Adonijah presumptuously assumed David’s throne before Solomon’s investiture. [O.T.: I Kings 1:5–10]
2. Anschluss Nazi takeover of Austria (1938). [Eur. Hist.: Hitler, 590–627]
3. Athaliah steals throne by killing all royal line. [O.T.: II Kings 11:1]
4. Claudius usurped throne of Hamlet’s father. [Br. Lit.: Hamlet ]
5. Frederick arrogated dominions of his brother. [Br. Lit.: As You Like It ]
6. Glorious Revolution James II deposed; William and Mary enthroned (1688). [Br. Hist.: EB, 3: 248]
7. Godunov, Boris (c. 1551–1605) cunningly has tsarevich murdered; gallantly accepts throne. [Russ. Lit.: Boris Godunov ; Russ. Opera: Moussorgsky, Boris Godunov ]
8. Menahem murders Shallum and enthrones himself. [O.T.: II Kings 15:14]
9. Otrepyev, Grigory baseborn monk assumes dead tsarevich’s identity and throne. [Russ. Lit.: Boris Gudonov; Russ. Opera: Moussorgsky, Boris Godunov ]

USURPATION

The illegal encroachment or assumption of the use of authority, power, or property properly belonging to another; the interruption or disturbance of an individual in his or her right or possession.

The term usurpation is also used in reference to the unlawful assumption or seizure of sovereign power, in derogation of the constitution and rights of the proper ruler.