[UNDER-1 6 a. Cf. Du. onderkoning, G. unterkönig, ON. undirkonungr (Sw. underkonung, Da. -konge).] A prince or ruler subordinate to a chief king.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. x. 18. Hia ʓesellas forðon iuih in ʓemotum … &to under-cyningum … fore meh.
c. 1060. O. E. Chron. (MS. C), an. 1056. Swa þæt Griffin swor aðas þæt he wolde beon Eadwarde kinge hold underkingc.
c. 1175. 12th Cent. Hom. (1909), 22. Underkyng is ihaten þe under þam casere rixæð.
c. 1205. Lay., 31340. Cadwalan … nom him to rede … þat he aȝain wolde … and bi-teche Penda, þe wes his underkinge, folc and his ferde.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 275. He put out Egbertus þe sone of Alcmundus þe underkyng.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., V. cxl. 125. This kyngedome … and the kynges therof, namyd vnder-kynges.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, viii. 110. From the great Monarks we come to the Kings of seuerall Nations, and from them to vnderkings of Prouinces.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. ii. 26. Each having its own Ealdorman or Under-King, though united under one supreme chief.
1874. Green, Short Hist., i. § 3 (1882), 18. The under-kings of Essex and East-Anglia received the creed of their overlord.
