High king

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Part of a series on
Imperial, royal, noble, gentry and chivalric ranks in Europe
Emperor, Empress dowager Tsar, Tsarina Kaiser Great king, Great queen High king, High queen King consort dowager
Queen regnant consort dowager mother Archduke, Archduchess Grand duke, Grand duchess
Prince consort Princess consort Boyar Duke, Duchess Knyaz, Knyaginya Heir Heir apparent Prince of Wales Heir presumptive
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Count palatine Voivode Count, Countess Earl Ealdorman Viscount, Viscountess Castellan Burgrave, Burgravine
Vidame Starosta Baron, Baroness Lord paramount Overlord Tenant in chief Territorial lord Liege lord Mesne lord
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A high king is a king who holds a position of seniority over a group of other kings, without the title of emperor. Similar titles include great king and king of kings. The high kings of history usually ruled over lands of cultural unity; thus high kings differentiate from emperors who control culturally different lands, and feudal monarchs, where subordinates assume lesser positions. High kings can be chosen by lesser rulers through elections, or be put into power by force through conquest of weaker kingdoms.