Kingship

It happened that the five Kings of Ireland met to determine who should have the head kingship over them, and King Lir of the Hill of the White Field expected surely he would be elected.

He wore a plain white tunic and purple-trimmed cloak; the only sign of kingship was the golden chaplet on his head and the signet ring on one finger.

Near-synonym: kingdom

The traditional world knew divine kingship.

[Of Henry I, who reigned 1100–1135:] Although the king's harsh treatment of his brother [Robert Curthose] sparked widespread criticism, it was typical of Henry's pragmatic approach to kingship. If he had shown greater mercy and set Robert free, it would have been only a matter of time before Curthose made fresh trouble. As it was, the Anglo-Norman territory that had been so hard won by their father was now firmly under Henry's control.