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History of Urcea (800-1098): Difference between revisions
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== Harrenic Succession == | == Harrenic Succession == | ||
In 922, the last male-line heir of St. Julius in the [[Urceopolis (Archduchy)|Archduchy of Urceopolis]], Cumhachtabilis, died without issue. The closest heir was Duke Seán of the [[House of Harren]], direct descendant of [[Gaius Julius Cicurinus|Saint Julius of the Caeline]]'s brother who had been made Duke of [[Harren]] in the 8th century. The King | In 922, the last male-line heir of St. Julius in the [[Urceopolis (Archduchy)|Archduchy of Urceopolis]], Cumhachtabilis, died without issue. The closest heir was Duke Seán of the [[House of Harren]], direct descendant of [[Gaius Julius Cicurinus|Saint Julius of the Caeline]]'s brother who had been made Duke of [[Harren]] in the 8th century. The Southern Levantine King viewed this to be unacceptable, as the combination of the Julian realms under a single ruler would grealy weaken his ability to project power throughout his Kingdom. Accordingly, the King attempted to take the Archduchy for himself as a new center for his Kingdom, sparking what historians would refer to as the War of the Urceopolitan Succession between the House of Harren (including loyalists in the vacant Archduchy) and the King. In the end, Duke Seán triumphed and was crowned Archduke of Urceopolis. Seán would marry his eldest son to a bride from the direct descent line of Saint Julius, which would eventually bear Niall of the [[House of Harren]]. Seán died in 930; he was succeeded by his son Seán II, who was deathly ill at the time of his assent; he would die after two weeks as Archduke. Upon the death of Seán II, Niall, brother of Seán I, seized the Throne, on the basis that the younger Niall (son of Seán I) was too weak to rule. The Southern Levantine King, however, would intervene and the elder Niall was killed on the battlefield after just three months as Archduke, allowing the 7-year old Niall of the House of Harren to become Archduke and Duke. The King believed that a young heir would allow the Conine dynasty to reclaim power within the Kingdom, though his death and succession of his own young son meant that they could not consolidate power in time. Nevertheless, the scheme created a situation not repeated again in Urcean history, as 930 became a "Year of Four Archdukes". Niall would reign as a child, primarily with the support of allies of the family in the Duchy of Harren. | ||
The House of Harren only became truly solidified on the dual throne as Archduke Niall II reached the age of 18 in 941, when he became able to rule the lands of the [[Julian dynasty]] without need for a regent. Niall II opted to defy convention and primarily rule from [[Cálfeld]] rather than [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]], in part due to the favorable political allies he had amognst the people within the Duchy of Harren. Niall married at age 19 and had ten children over the next 15 years, ensuring the continuation of the dynasty. Niall's chief contribution were efforts to integrate trade between the Archduchy and Harren. Several old Levantine roads between the two areas were cleared, and tariffs were lowered on most goods traveling between the realms. In 950, Niall II began an aggressive campaign of trying to expand the Julian lands. In [[952]], Niall campaigned in southern [[Ionia]] with the tacit approval of the Southern Levantine King, clearing out local clan forts and establishing a foothold in the [[Ionian Plateau]] north of [[Cálfeld]]. Next, in [[954]], Niall attempted to campaign against the [[Creagmer republics]], seeking to establish a coastal presence and tap into the profitable [[Creagmer]] trade. This move was opposed by the sitting Southern King, precipitating Royal intervention in the war. Niall fought both the Royal forces as well as Republican mercenary forces in [[955]] and [[956]], but was ultimately defeated in modern [[Westglen]]. Unusually, Niall was allowed to abdicate and retire to a monastery rather than being killed for defying the King. The Julians would not attempt another move against the Republics [[History_of_Urcea_(1098-1214)#The_Republics_and_river|until the 12th century]], after the establishment of the Urcean Kingdom. | The House of Harren only became truly solidified on the dual throne as Archduke Niall II reached the age of 18 in 941, when he became able to rule the lands of the [[Julian dynasty]] without need for a regent. Niall II opted to defy convention and primarily rule from [[Cálfeld]] rather than [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]], in part due to the favorable political allies he had amognst the people within the Duchy of Harren. Niall married at age 19 and had ten children over the next 15 years, ensuring the continuation of the dynasty. Niall's chief contribution were efforts to integrate trade between the Archduchy and Harren. Several old Levantine roads between the two areas were cleared, and tariffs were lowered on most goods traveling between the realms. In 950, Niall II began an aggressive campaign of trying to expand the Julian lands. In [[952]], Niall campaigned in southern [[Ionia]] with the tacit approval of the Southern Levantine King, clearing out local clan forts and establishing a foothold in the [[Ionian Plateau]] north of [[Cálfeld]]. Next, in [[954]], Niall attempted to campaign against the [[Creagmer republics]], seeking to establish a coastal presence and tap into the profitable [[Creagmer]] trade. This move was opposed by the sitting Southern King, precipitating Royal intervention in the war. Niall fought both the Royal forces as well as Republican mercenary forces in [[955]] and [[956]], but was ultimately defeated in modern [[Westglen]]. Unusually, Niall was allowed to abdicate and retire to a monastery rather than being killed for defying the King. The Julians would not attempt another move against the Republics [[History_of_Urcea_(1098-1214)#The_Republics_and_river|until the 12th century]], after the establishment of the Urcean Kingdom. | ||