King is a title denoting sovereignty. In many Asian countries, the king or emperor was once considered to be the representative of a god or a divine family. In Europe, many Teutonic tribes elected a king only in wartime. He ruled a tribe, not a territory. When the tribes were converted to Christianity, the king gained prestige. The church crowned him and supported the idea that he was the source of justice in the realm as the vice regent of God. However, the king was not all-powerful but was considered bound by his people’s customary laws.
From these roots grew the idea of a responsible monarchy. In the United Kingdom and other European countries, the monarch possesses little authority. In other kingdoms, however, the ruler has virtually absolute power.
