IPA: //ˈkɪŋkræft//
KK: /kɪŋkræft/
The skill or art of ruling and exercising power as a king.
The king's kingcraft was evident in his ability to maintain peace in the kingdom.
Kingcraft is formed from "king" (from Old English "cyning", meaning a male monarch or ruler) and "craft" (from Old English "cræft", meaning skill or art). The term refers to the skill or art of ruling as a king.
Think of a 'king' as a ruler and 'craft' as a skill — together, they describe the skill of ruling.