Les 'autres' rois

While the term 'king' is predominantly understood and used in a narrower political sense today, this was different in the late Middle Ages. In addition to the well-known 'political' kings, there existed numerous 'other' kings. They led professional groups, headed cooperatives, or were crowned as festival kings during recurring ceremonies and customs. Minstrels and heralds, prostitutes and merchants had their kings just as archers or noble societies did. However, this was not about rituals of inversion or acts of rebellion. These kings also had clear functions and privileges, a solid power position within their group, and were accepted in this role by the authorities, some of whom even appointed them. This volume presents a systematic overview of this previously overlooked phenomenon for the first time and examines, through selected examples, the function and societal role of these 'other' kings in their respective contexts. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for a new, innovative field of research and enriches the discourse on kingship with a new, unexpected perspective.