Overmighty subject
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Overmighty subject (or overmighty baron) is a term associated with bastard feudalism. It denotes a royal subject in late medieval England who, through financial, military and/or personal influence, wielded powers on a par with, or beyond those of, the king himself.
Prime examples are Thomas of Lancaster, John of Gaunt and Warwick the Kingmaker. The term is somewhat discredited today, since it rests on the assumption that the nobles were constantly vying for power with the king, whereas a strong monarchy was in fact in the interest of most peers.
