A king post is a vertical structural element used in roof trusses, primarily in traditional timber framing. It connects the apex of the roof to the horizontal beam, known as the tie beam, providing support and stability. King posts are essential in distributing the weight of the roof and preventing sagging. In a typical truss design, the king post is often paired with two diagonal braces that extend to the lower corners of the truss. This configuration helps to create a strong triangular shape, which is fundamental in architecture and engineering for maintaining structural integrity in buildings and bridges.