Cyning
Cyning is the Old English term for a king, the male ruler of a political unit in Anglo-Saxon England. The word is used in legal codes, chronicles, and poetry to designate the sovereign who held ultimate authority within his realm, including the command of military forces and the administration of justice. The position was often hereditary within dynastic lines, but leaders could be elected or confirmed by a noble council in contested periods.
Etymology: The term derives from Proto-Germanic *kuningaz and is cognate with the Dutch koning and the German
Role and powers: A cyning governed a kingdom or sub-kingdom and was expected to protect his people,
Context and legacy: In the Anglo-Saxon era, several kingdoms (Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, East Anglia, Kent, Sussex)