High King

"For too long he's been hand-picked by the Emperor, and given emphatic nods by milk-drinking Jarls addicted to Imperial coin."

- Ulfric Stormcloak on the office of High King

The High King or High Queen is the leader of Skyrim. Governing the province, those holding this office become a member of the Elder Council of the Empire of Tamriel. High Kings are selected by a moot or vote conducted by the current Jarls of each of the nine Holds. Votes occur mostly common when the previous High King dies, but an emergency vote can be called to order if the High King is bested in a duel. According to Elisif the Fair, a Jarl of Solitude and the widow of the late High King Torygg, a High King cannot refuse a duel requested by a Jarl. Traditionally, The Jagged Crown was worn by High Kings and Queens of Skyrim.

Ascension
The High King or Queen typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for life or until abdication. In the event that no direct heir to the throne exists, a specially convened council of all the Jarls, called the Moot, meet with the express purpose of choosing Skyrim's High King. .

The High King swears fealty to the Emperor, and as Solitude is the city most directly influenced by Imperial culture and politics, the Jarl of Solitude has served as High King for generations. The Moot, therefore, is more formality and theater than anything else.

Originally, the High King was based in Windhelm, as it was the first capital city established by Ysgramor in late Merethic Era, power has also shifted to Winterhold sometime in the First Era.

Conflicts with who should ascend
In the Fourth Era, upon the death of High King Torygg, the Jarls could not agree on the next High King. Torygg's widow, Elisif the Fair, Jarl of Solitude, had a legitimate claim to the throne, although according to Ulfric, Ancient Nord tradition dictates that when the High King is bested in battle, the winner can call a Moot to have a new High King chosen. Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm, believed this gave him a stronger claim to the throne, erupting in Civil War because the people of Skyrim considered the duel unfair and an act of murder. It is strongly implied that Ulfric initiated the challenge, plotting to intimidate the other Jarls into naming him High King. However, if the city of Solitude is taken by the Stormcloaks and the war resolved, Ulfric rescinds his earlier statement, saying he supports the decisions of the Moot, whether he is crowned King or not.

Text in the Creation Kit denotes Ulfric as High King, if the Stormcloaks win the Civil War.

Previous kings
The following is a list of kings who have ruled Skyrim and their respective reigns.
 * Ysgramor - late Merethic Era.
 * Harald (1E 143 - 1E 221)
 * Vrage - (1E 221 - 1E 2?)
 * Gellir - (1E 2? - 1E ?)
 * Borgas - (1E ? - 1E 369)
 * Olaf One-Eye (1E 420 - 1E 452)
 * Kjoric the White (1E ? - 1E 478)
 * Hoag Merkiller (1E ? - 1E 480 )
 * Wulfharth (1E 480 - 533)
 * Istlod (4E ? - 4E ?)
 * Torygg (4E ? - 4E 201)

Other royalty

 * King
 * Jarl
 * Emperor

Trivia
In Medieval Ireland, the high king (Ard Ri) was a symbolic ruler who professed to have lordship over the whole of ireland. However, most high kings power rarely extended past their native hold.