Nicolas Cram

Several potential heirs may be certified (all male youngsters and siblings, for instance). This isn't true. Although kings and queens could put on or display crowns worn by their ancestors every now and then, each monarch creates (or is given as a gift) his or her own crown. Over time, a wide range of elaborate traditions and rituals grew up round this system. Fairly often, deposed and exiled royalty would return years later when monarchists had gained political energy over republicans. The head of state was identified as the caliph, and his authority stemmed not simply from political power or wealth but from Islamic law. The king was the head of the nation. In fact, the king might at all times do as he happy, but it surely was a balancing act. A committee of nobles then elects the following king from amongst these candidates, hopefully selecting the wisest and most competent amongst them. Each country has its own system of ranking and naming nobles. They might name vassals, decrease-rating nobles who were granted some property and whatever revenue it generated (often by rents paid by commoners or income from farming).