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This article is about the ruler of a Knight House; for the operators of Imperial Titans, see Princeps. |
A High Monarch is the leader of a Knight House.[1a][4]
Overview
In their capacity as ruler of their Knightly House, a High King (or High Queen) has the ultimate responsibility in deciding which foes to fight and which wars to wage. Beyond that, they are also responsible for the defence of their realm, whether that is an entire Knight World or merely their demesne on such a planet.[1a]
A High King rules their Knight House, with a number of Barons swearing fealty to them. The highest of these Barons collectively form a body known as the High King's Exalted Court.[1a][1b]
A High Monarch's Knight is traditionally marked with a band on its carapace armour[1c][1h], but this is not universal - a number of Houses (including House Griffith) do not practice this.[1f]
Variant Titles
Many Knight Worlds use alternate titles to denote their ruler.[3a] In particular, if a Knight House is sworn to the Adeptus Mechanicus, rather than being oathed to the Imperium as a whole, then the High King is usually styled as a Princeps.[1b]
Known Variant Titles
- Lord[3a]
- Patriarch[3a]
- Princeps — Common among Questor Mechanicus Houses.[1b]
- Ritter[3a]
- Viscount — Used by House Hawkshroud.[3b]
Notable High Kings
- Bryce — Current High King of House Griffith.[1f]
- Gerrolt — Current High King of House Mortan.[1g]
- Grevan — Current Princeps of House Raven.[1i]
- Roland — Current High King of House Cadmus.[1e]
- Tudon — Current Viscount of House Hawkshroud.[3b]
- Tybalt — Current High King of House Terryn.[1d]
- Tolwyn Tan Draconis - Former High King of House Draconis and Adrastapol and first of his lineage, killed during the Betrayal on Donatos. [2a]
- Danial Tan Draconis - Current High King of House Draconis and Adrastapol and heir to Tolywn Tan Draconis. Ascended to the throne following his father's death.[2b]
- Rhoderic Tan Chimaeros - Former High King of House Chimaeros and Adrastapol during the Horus Heresy.[2c]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Imperial Knights (7th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 14 — Imperial Knights At War
- 1b: pg. 15 — Mechanicus Knights At War
- 1c: pg. 26
- 1d: pg. 29 — House Terryn: Tybalt, Fury of Voltoris
- 1e: pg. 40 — House Cadmus
- 1f: pg. 43 — House Griffith: Bryce, Fires of Valour
- 1g: pg. 47 — House Mortan: Gerrolt, Pride of Blackcrag
- 1h: pg. 48
- 1i: pg. 51 — House Raven: Grevan, Ferrous Maximus
- 2: Kingsblade (Novel)
- 3: Codex: Imperial Knights (6th Edition)
- 4: Codex: Imperial Knights (9th Edition), pg. 20
