History Main / TheGoodKing

* Creator/{{Disney}}'s ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGummiBears'' and Creator/HannaBarbera's ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs'' run around more or less the same concept: a secret community of magical creatures whose existence is only known for a few human allies and some villains. Both shows happen in a fictional medieval kingdom and both shows have the resident King to be quite representative of this trope; gentle, benevolent, and nice with the humble servants like the local page.

%%* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' King Harold and presumably Artie becomes this after the third movie.

* The titular character in ''Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh'' undergoes a LOT of Character Development from a RoyalBrat / TheCaligula who everyone hates, to become this after meeting Enkidu (though he still bragged a lot).

* While he was also a dick, the titular character in ''Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh'' became this to his people after meeting Enkidu (though he still bragged a lot).

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'', Simba gets a whole song about it "Good King Simba". Like in the movie, he does qualify. Kion probably does as well as of the final episode.

** King Nefertari Cobra cares deeply about his people. When a revolution takes place within his country, he's more concerned that his subjects are unhappy than he is about his own safety. [[spoiler:Even someone like Monkey D. Dragon deems him as such and shows displeasure on his assassination, supposedly by the hands of Sabo. Fortunately, the news of Cobra's assassination turns out to be completely false as later chapters show him alive and well, meeting privately with the Five Elder Stars for much-needed answers]].

* ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAsThePrincessAndThePauper'': King Dominic is kind and understanding, and his kingdom is in such good shape that he is willing to share his wealth by [[ArrangedMarriage marrying Princess Anneliese]] to save her kingdom from going bankrupt (a rather selfless act considering he probably had richer prospects with bigger dowries to choose from). At the end of the film, Dominic teams up with [[spoiler: Julian]] to [[spoiler: stop the BigBad Preminger from finishing off his scheme to take over Anneliese's kingdom]]. He also doesn't think less of Erica after finding out she is actually a pauper [[spoiler: and in fact, ends up marrying her, showing that he doesn't heed to class hierarchies]].

* In Literature/TheBible King David and his son, Solomon, were two benevolent kings of Israel. While they certainly had flaws they were both ultimately good people.

** Unlike just about everyone else in ''Literature/TheThebaid'', King Theseus is a good guy. Despite having just returned from a tiring campaign, he welcomes refugees into his kingdom and leads the armies of Athens to force Creon to allow the widows of Argos to give proper DueToTheDead.
* In Literature/TheBookOfMormon, we have a few examples:

* In ''Fanfic/TheBridge'', Godzilla Jr. may be a bit quick to the trigger if he thinks he's being attacked but has grown up to fill this role nicely for most of the Terran kaiju. While he doesn't act like he's above anyone, most neutral kaiju and the Defender faction do think of him as their leader with his allies' loyalty being earnest by selfless acts on Junior's part. Eventually the humans even christened him ''King of the Monsters'', with his constant defense of them earning a lot of support. Cue him getting thrown into Equestria, a matriarchy where the last few kings were [[EvilOverlord less than stellar]], and it raises a few eyebrows. Still, he doesn't lose stride. Horde of gyaos bearing down on Canterlot? He'll take them on himself. Promising magical prodigy inspired by him having power troubles? Take her on as a pupil and guide her in a fatherly way. He still has flaws, but over time most of Equestria warms to him.

%% * The Maori Chief in ''Film/DeadLands'' is portrayed as this, to contrast with the treachery and cruelty of the villain.

** [[spoiler: Fire Lord Zuko,]] the seeds of which were planted all the way back in the first season before [[spoiler: his HeelFaceTurn]].