The High King swears fealty to the Emperor, and as such Solitude is the city most directly influenced by Imperial culture and politics thus the Jarl of Solitude has served as High King for generations. If they refuse, the challenger has grounds to call for a moot to elect a new High King. By Nordic tradition, a High King can be challenged in a duel by one of the Jarls. Votes occur most commonly when the previous High King dies. High Kings are traditionally either related to the previous High King, or a Jarl of one of the Holds. In the event that no direct heir to the throne exists, High Kings are selected by a moot, or vote, conducted by the current Jarls of each of the nine Holds. In Skyrim, the High King or Queen typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for life or until abdication.
