Giles I Sentinelleau

Giles I Sentinelleau (born Giles Maria Guillaume Joanus Sentinelleau; 6 May 1653 – 15 February 1676), also known as the Boy Duke, was the youngest ever Grand Duke of Yonderre, ascending to the throne as Grand Duke aged 19 years old and ruling from 29 September 1672 – 15 February 1676. Prior to his ascension, Giles I was styled as Giles II, Count of Kubagne following the passing of his father, Grand Duke Falco II Sentinelleau on February 25th, 1659, when Giles I was just shy of six years old. Giles I reigned as Grand Duke 3 years, 4 months, and 18 days, the second-shortest of all Grand Dukes of Yonderre except for Giles III de Donne. The untimely death of Giles I of Yonderre in 1676 was attributed to a hunting accident, but even contemporary sources consider it an assassination, and discussion of the circumstances of Giles' death, both verbal and in print, was banned under his successor, Grand Duke Joanus V de Banor. Modern historians generally agree that the death of Giles I was a result of a conspiracy led by Grand Duke Joanus V de Banor.

Biography
Giles I Sentinelleau was born in Sainte-Catherine Palace on 6 May 1653 as Giles Maria Guillaume Joanus Sentinelleau as the only son of Grand Duke Falco II Sentinelleau and his wife Catherine de Banor. Falco II died when Giles was aged just shy of six years old, making Giles the Count of Kubagne as Giles II. Catherine de Banor, mother of Giles, ruled in his place until he was 14 years of age, at which time Giles was deemed mature to carry out his duties. Giles however preferred the courtly life of feasts and hunts over his actual duties as ruler. The same year, Giles was married to Edith de Bureau, two years his senior. The marriage produced no issue.

When Grand Duke Joanus IV de Martigueux died on 21 September 1672, Giles I was narrowly elected Grand Duke ahead of Joanus V de Banor. Giles I's rule remained uncertain from his very ascenion to Grand Duke, varying between idleness and cruel measures against insubordination. Unlike his father Falco II Sentinelleau, Giles I relied on favouritism, which made him abhorrent to many nobles and led to increasing isolation. Moreover, he probably suffered from alcoholism, which was brought to light in 1674 when he was unable to accept an invitation by Emperor of the Levantines Benedict I of the Holy Levantine Empire for a reception at Corcra due to his drunkenness.

Giles I died on 15 February 1676 during a hunting trip in the Black Forest of Donne when he was struck by a crossbow bolt. Contemporary accounts suggest he was assassinated under orders from his eventual successor Grand Duke Joanus V de Banor, who Giles I had snubbed of the title just three and a half years prior. Because of his general inactiveness as Grand Duke and occasional cruel measures against those who had opposed him, the fact that Giles I was probably assassinated bore little negative reaction from the Yonderian nobility. Because Giles I died without issue, his branch of the House Sentinelleau died out and his uncle, the later Grand Duke, Falco III Sentinelleau became the patriarch of the House Sentinelleau and senior branch of the house.

Titles and styles

 * 6 May 1653 – 25 February 1659: His Highness the Hereditary Count of Kubagne
 * 25 February 1659 – 29 September 1672: His Highness the Count of Kubagne
 * 29 September 1672 – 15 February 1676: By the Grace of God, His Majesty the Grand Duke of Yonderre, King of the Goths, Count of Kubagne, Grand Baron of the Kestrel Isles

Honours and decorations

 * Yonderre Grand Master of the Order of the Kestrel
 * Yonderre Grand Master of the Order of the Green Knight