Palatine state (Themiclesia)
A palatine state (列邦, rjêt-prong) in Themiclesia is a residual polity under the Treaty of Five Kings, whose functions have been absorbed into the central government in later centuries.
The Treaty of Five Kings was concluded in 256 between the kings of Tsjinh and four other independent states, Pjang, Dem, Ngrak, and Sjing, stipulating peace and co-operation between them. While the Tsjinh king was given primacy, the five states continued to vye for influence in each other's territories through marriage and diplomacy. Tsjinh and its successor states Sungh and Rjang gradually reduced the autonomy of the four states, acquiring the right to appoint bureaucrats in their governments. Into the 5th century, the Sungh and Rjang advocated for pro-Sungh/Rjang princes in the states to take their respective thrones and to alienate land to cadets to reduce their respective strengths. By the beginning of the 6th century, the Rjang became the uncontested ruler of Themiclesia.
The Rjang court did little consolidate royal power, but continued to use a combination of measures to uphold its supremacy across the states. A need to maintain the working relationship between the Rjang court and its supporters in other courts is thought to have prevented changes to government structure.