The Ancient Celts placed a special trust in their kings and queens. They believed them to be personifications of powerful divine forces ruling the land, bringing fertility and prosperity to the tribe or nation.

As the Celtic kingdoms grew, from Gaul in the west to Galatia in Asia Minor in the east, and especially in the Celtic dynasties of Britain and Ireland, the values that sustained these kingdoms gradually permeated western culture. These values included respect for truth and correct utterance, for fairness, just punishment and equality under the law, for courage and steadfastness, loyalty and honour.