This thesis is submitted to an English university and English expressions are used throughout. Foreign words and expressions are italicised except for those accepted in common English use, e.g. the Holy Koran. Principal place names are as appearing in The Times Atlas. Minor place, tribal and family names are italicised and included in the Glossary of Arabic Terms (below). Diacritical marks are omitted throughout. Dates are given for the Common Era (C.E.), and comparative tables of Al Hijra (A.H.) and Common Era years follows the Glossary. Throughout the thesis, the Kingdom means the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and The Prophet means the Prophet Mohammad salla-Hahu alayhi wa- salam ("God bless him and give him peace"). The Majlis Ash-Shura means the Consultative Council, and is referred to as such throughout this thesis.