erastes

It's a pretty solid tradition for writers to invent members of the aristocracy and pass it off as historical—there are thousands of counts and earls and lords etc.

But what about royalty?

I mean, if you can invent counts and earls, some of whom are likely to be in the line of succession, why not a Richard IV or a John II? Or princes of wales (or lesser) that didn't exist?

I ask because I've just seen a review on Elisa Rolle's blog of a made up Japanese Prince and my first thought was "oh that's not historical, so I can't put it on Speak Its Name" but now I cometo think of it, why not? WHY Are earls and lords not AU and yet Kings and princes Who didn't exist AU?

HELP ME please. my head is about to explode. I need to ask the same question of the Historical Novel Society.