"Kingmaker"'s a term originally applied to the activities of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, during the Wars of the Roses in England. The term has come to be applied more generally to a person or group that's great influence in a royal or political succession, without being a viable candidate. Kingmakers may use political, monetary, religious, and/or military means to interfere in the succession. Examples include: Warwick, the Kingmaker. Nogai Khan and Mamai Khan who influenced successi… (More on Kingmaker)