Most Kings ruled tenuously at the whim of their most powerful barons, who…yes…would “bend the knee”, but only so long as the King kept up his part of the bargain. They were not averse to letting the king know that his power was illusory.

This is probably most famous in King John and Magna Carta, and later his son Henry the III and his fights with Simon de Montort in two baron’s wars. But also, most publically, the disasterous rule of Henry VI which set off the wars of the roses.

The “Divine right of kings” existed. But only as long as the Baron’s said so.

I know none of this history, but now I’m interested. Any recommendations on where I can learn more?

The Commonwealth is one of the most fascinating polities to exist in Europe, shame other entities managed to figure out how to exploit the ever living hell out it’s dysfunction. It would’ve been wild to see how it developed.

Oubliette!

Edit: Pardon my french. I meant Guillotine!