Sentence:  The regal dominion, then, held by the sovereigns of Britain in these ages seems most properly described as an elective monarchy made hereditary; or, to take the converse of the proposition, as a hereditary monarchy requiring to be confirmed at the succession of each monarch by a popular election. ... There was this essential difference, as now in the case of the kings paramount, or <WSD>pendragons</WSD>sup 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  "Also capitalized as" '''(Pendragon)''': (title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs): chief war leader, chieftain, dictator, despot or king.