History Main / RulingCouple

** If playing as the Female Human Noble, romancing [[spoiler: Alistair]] can make the Warden eventually become their Princess-Consort. It's lampshaded in the second game that they are ''clearly'' the ones wearing the trousers in the relationship and the people of Ferelden absolutely ''adore'' her, particularly now that the other countries are downright ''terrified'' of how much of a badass the Queen is.

--> [[spoiler: '''Alistair''']]: Just because she killed an ''Archdemon, she ''doesn't'' frighten me!

This usually refers to a monarchial government, as monarchy is intentionally a FamilyBusiness. Only rarely can it be pictured in Literature/TheRepublic.

*''BelisariusSeries'': Justinian and Theodora (and in Real Life) for the Romans; Rao and Shakuntala for the Marathans; Kungas and Irene for the Kushans.
*Belgarion and Ce'Nedra of Riva, and Korodullin and Mayaserana of Arendia from the ''{{Belgariad}}''.

*Selenay and Daren of ''{{Valdemar}}''. In fact, any royal spouse will become a co-consort provided that he/she is also chosen as a herald. There are several examples of this in the back story.
*''{{Deryni}}'': This seems to be Kelson's plan for Araxie in ''King Kelson's Bride'', as it had been for Rothana in ''The Quest for Saint Camber''. Since things with Rothana [[CartwrightCurse didn't pan out]], and since Araxie is also a Haldane by birth, Kelson suggests triggering the Haldane potential in her as it has already been done in himself. Araxie is not averse to the idea and enters into thoughtful speculation on the matter; no Haldane has ever been Queen of Gwynedd before, and it isn't known if a female Haldane could have her potential triggered (or even that she carries it).
*Eugenides and Irene in ''TheQueensThief'' series.
*''LordOfTheRings'': Celeborn and Galadriel, though Galadriel often seems to be the senior partner.
*After the second book in ''TheSwordOfTruth'' series, the hero, Richard Rahl, ascends to his hereditary title as ruler of the D'Haran Empire. Two books later, he marries Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor (basically, the ruler of a race of women that can permanently brainwash anyone just by touching them) and become, ostensibly, the most powerful husband and wife duo in the world. While Richard is undoubtedly the more active and usually the more dominant of the two, the two are practically equals, with people sworn to serve Richard also sworn to serve Kahlan and vice-versa. There are not very many moments in the story where the two are allows to rule as a partnership (almost every time they get together, they're torn apart or one is taken out of commission via Diabolus Ex Machina), but there are smatterings of it here and there.
*Cayleb and Sharleyan in ''{{Safehold}}''. There are married rulers in the books, but these two are the only case where they're co-rulers with equal authority. A number of their decisions after their marriage are made partly to emphasize this fact.
*''TheSilmarillion'': Manwe and Varda
*''SixteenThirtyTwo'': Mike Sterns and Rebecca, though of course, Grantsville/USE is not a monarchy. Still the same sort of interaction applies.
*''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'': Aral and Cordelia are Viceroy and Vicereine of Sergyar. Not bad for a culture where, just a few years earlier, a woman had to have a sex change operation to be allowed onto the Council of Counts.

This usually refers to a monarchial government, as monarchy is intentionally a FamilyBusiness. Only rarely can it be pictured in TheRepublic.

*''VorkosiganSaga'': Aral and Cordelia are Viceroy and Vicereine of Sergyar. Not bad for a culture where, just a few years earlier, a woman had to have a sex change operation to be allowed onto the Council of Counts.
* A couple of instances in ''WheelOfTime''. The Sea Folk have the Mistress of the Ships (always female political leader) and the Master of the Blades (always male millitary leader)- which takes precedence depends on whether the Sea Folk are currently at peace or war. Among the [[ProudWarriorRace Aiel]], male clan chiefs are the political and millitary leaders while female shaman-types called Wise Ones are the spiritual leaders- as it's not unknown for a clan chief to marry a Wise One, this trope sometimes results. Finally, in Tarabon the King handles external affairs and the Panarch (highest-ranked noblewoman) handles internal ones, though they're not neccessarily married (both are elected independantly from among the nobility following the death or downfall of their predeccessor).

* Sheridan and Delenn on ''BabylonFive''. In this case, it is a bit complicated, as rather then being heads of government, they are heads of a trans-state LaResistance that includes some government leaders. Later they both lead an interstellar confederation.

*''{{Dune}}'': Leto and Jessica. Leto is the senior in this case but Jessica has at least as much influence as any of Leto's councilors, is a central character and definitely does not StayInTheKitchen.

* In ''DragonAgeOrigins'', it is possible to set up Queen Anora and [[spoiler:Alistair]] as the RulingCouple of Ferelden, but only if both agree to such marriage and the latter's personality has been hardened.

A ruling couple, on the other hand, are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners, and may even be HappilyMarried. Rather then one ruling and [[StayInTheKitchen one staying in the palace]] they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as trusted counselors and they will be TheGoodKing and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of "Alice and Bob" then it is a ruling couple.

A ruling couple, on the other hand, are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and [[StayInTheKitchen one staying in the palace]] they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as trusted counselors and they will be TheGoodKing and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of "Alice and Bob" then it is a ruling couple.

A ruling couple, on the other hand, are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and [[StayInTheKitchen one staying in the palace]] they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as trusted counselors and they will be TheWisePrince and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of "Alice and Bob" then it is a ruling couple.

*''LordOfTheRings'': Celeborn and Galadrial Though Galadrial often seems to be the senior partner

*''VorkosiganSaga'': Aral and Cordelia are Viceroy and Vicereine of Sergyar. Not bad for a culture where, just a few years earlier, a woman had to have a sex change operation to be allowed onto the Council of Counts.

* Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia, at least after WorldWarI broke out. After Nicholas took personal command of the army and went to the front, Alexandra ruled in Petrograd in his stead. [[{{Understatement}} It didn't work out so well...]]

* Sheridan and Delenn on ''BabylonFive''. In this case, it is a bit complicated, as rather then being heads of government, they are heads of a trans-state LaResistance that includes some government leaders. Later they both lead an interstellar confederation.

Examples:

*''VorkosiganSaga: Aral and Cordelia are Viceroy and Vicereine of Sergyar. Not bad for a culture where, just a few years earlier, a woman had to have a sex change operation to be allowed onto the Council of Counts.

A ruling couple, on the other hand, are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and one staying in the palace they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as trusted counselors and they will be TheWisePrince and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of "Alice and Bob" then it is a ruling couple.

*''{{Deryni}}'': This seems to be Kelson's plan for Araxie in King Kelson's Bride, as it had been for Rothana in The Quest for Saint Camber. Since things with Rothana didn't pan out, and since Araxie is also a Haldane by birth, Kelson suggests triggering the Haldane potential in her as it has already been done in himself. Araxie is not averse to the idea and enters into thoughtful speculation on the matter; no Haldane has ever been Queen of Gwynedd before, and it isn't known if a female Haldane could have her potential triggered (or even that she carries it).

A ruling couple, on the other hand, are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and one staying in the palace they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as trusted counselors and they will be TheWisePrince and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of alice and bob then it is a ruling couple.

Most rulers have spouses and many have mistresses(or "misters?") as well. However often times only one of the couple exercises rule and the other is merely to decorate the palace, provide heirs, seal alliances and entertain the king.

A ruling couple on the other hand are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and one staying in the palace they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as a trusted counselors and they will be TheWisePrince and TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of alice and bob then it is a ruling couple.

This usually refers to a monarchial government as monarchy is intentionally a FamilyBusiness. Only rarely it can be pictured in TheRepublic.

[[AC: Literature]]

*BelisariusSeries: Justinian and Theodora(and in Real Life) for the Romans; Rao and Shakuntala for the Marathans; Kungas and Irene for the Kushans.

*Belgarion and Ce'Nedra of Riva, and Korodullin and Mayaserana of Arendia from the {{Belgariad}}.

*Selenay and Daren of {{Valdemar}}

*{{Dune}}: Leto and Jessica. Leto is the senior in this case but Jessica has at least as much influence as any of Leto's councilors, is a central character and definitely does not StayInTheKitchen.

*{{Deryni}} This seems to be Kelson's plan for Araxie in King Kelson's Bride, as it had been for Rothana in The Quest for Saint Camber. Since things with Rothana didn't pan out, and since Araxie is also a Haldane by birth, Kelson suggests triggering the Haldane potential in her as it has already been done in himself. Araxie is not averse to the idea and enters into thoughtful speculation on the matter; no Haldane has ever been Queen of Gwynedd before, and it isn't known if a female Haldane could have her potential triggered (or even that she carries it).

*Eugenides and Irene in TheQueensThief series.

*LordOfTheRings: Celeborn and Galadrial Though Galadrial often seems to be the senior partner

*Following the second book in TheSwordOfTruth series, the protagonist, Richard Rahl, ascends to his hereditary title as ruler of the D'Haran Empire. Two books later, he marries Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor (basically, the ruler of a race of women that can permanently brainwash anyone just by touching them) and become, ostensibly, the most powerful husband and wife duo in the world. While Richard is undoubtedly the more active and usually the more dominant of the two, the two are practically equals, with people sworn to serve Richard also sworn to serve Kahlan and vice-versa. There are not very many moments in the story where the two are allows to rule as a partnership (almost every time they get together, they're torn apart or one is taken out of commission via Diabolus Ex Machina), but there are smatterings of it here and there.

*Cayleb and Sharleyan in {{Safehold}}. There are married rulers in the books, but these two are the only case where they're co-rulers with equal authority. A number of their decisions after their marriage are made partly to emphasize this fact.

*TheSilmarillion: Manwe and Varda

*SixteenThirtyTwo: Mike Sterns and Rebecca though of course Grantsville/USE is not a monarchy. Still the same sort of interaction applies.

*In addition to Selenay and Daren in the {{Valdemar}} books, any royal spouse will become a co-consort provided that he/she is also chosen as a herald. There are several examples of this mentioned in the back story.

*VorkosiganSaga: Aral and Cordelia are Viceroy and Vicereine of Sergyar. Not bad for a culture where, just a few years earlier, a woman had to have a sex change operation to be allowed onto the Council of Counts.

Sheridan and Delenn on Babylon Five. In this case it is a bit complicated as rather then being heads of government they are heads of a trans-state La Resistance that includes some government leaders. Later they both lead an interstellar confederation.

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain

William and Mary of Great Britain.

Another Real Life example would be Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia, at least after WWI broke out. After Nicholas took personal command of the army and went to the front, Alexandra ruled in Petrograd in his stead. [[{{Understatement}} It didn't work out so well...]]

A ruling couple on the other hand are equal or [[TheConsigliere near equal]] partners. Rather then one ruling and one staying in the palace they jointly rule. The rulers will rely on each other as a trusted counselors and they will be TheWisePrince and The WomanWearingTheQueenlyMask in one. Perhaps they will show this by receiving audiences on two thrones. Perhaps the consort will have a regular seat in the royal council and a vote. Perhaps even the two of them will discuss deep and labyrinthine affairs of state [[TalkingInBed during matrimonial activities]]. And likely they will be addressed as partners and written down as such in the chronicles. If historians refer only to the reign of Alice or the reign of Bob then this trope might be averted. If however historians regularly refer to the reign of alice and bob then it is a ruling couple.

Another Real Life example would be Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia, at least after WWI broke out. After Nicholas took personal command of the army and went to the front, Alexandra ruled in Petrograd in his stead. [[{{UnderstatementIt didn't work out so well...]]