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History of Urcea (800-1098): Difference between revisions
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== Restoration of the Empire == | == Restoration of the Empire == | ||
Since the unity of the Archduchy of Urceopolis with the Duchy of Harren, the rulers of the Julian dynasty had increadingly chafed under the control of the Southern King of the Levantines - a member of the [[Conine dynasty]] - based in [[Carolina]]. As the Southern Kings had forced his father into a monastery, Archduke Caelius IV held decidedly negative view of Royal authority, and looked for an opportunity to avenge his father. The opportunity arrived in [[963]], as the [[Eastern Kingdom of the Levantines|Eastern King of the Levantines]], a [[Derian people|Derian]] named [[Leo I, Emperor of the Levantines|Leo]] launched an invasion of the [[Southern Kingdom of the Levantines]] in an attempt to reclaim the Imperial title. The Southern King and Eastern King would clash in a number of dramatic battles in the [[Transionia]] region before Caelius IV announced his allegenience to Leo. Caelius led the Julian forces past the [[Northgate]] and into [[Carolina]] in February [[965]], setting the Royal court to siege. As Royal forces raced back to lift the siege, they were caught between Julian and Eastern forces and crushed at the Battle of Nitcus on 30 April [[965]]. After the battle, the remaining Conine nobles surrendered and recognized Leo I as Southern King of the Levantines. Leo entered [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]] on 24 May and was crowned [[Emperor of the Levantines]], restoring the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Levantine Empire]] following a 48 year interregnum. Leo's victory meant the end of a distinct Southern Kingdom and Court as Imperial power was centered in [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]]; higher political authority moving far to the east meant that, going forward, the rulers of the Julian realm would enjoy a freer hand and the end of Royal interference in the succession. | Since the unity of the Archduchy of Urceopolis with the Duchy of Harren, the rulers of the Julian dynasty had increadingly chafed under the control of the Southern King of the Levantines - a member of the [[Conine dynasty]] - based in [[Carolina]]. As the Southern Kings had forced his father into a monastery, Archduke Caelius IV held decidedly negative view of Royal authority, and looked for an opportunity to avenge his father. The opportunity arrived in [[963]], as the [[Eastern Kingdom of the Levantines|Eastern King of the Levantines]], a [[Derian people|Derian]] named [[Leo I, Emperor of the Levantines|Leo]] launched an invasion of the [[Southern Kingdom of the Levantines]] in an attempt to reclaim the Imperial title. The Southern King and Eastern King would clash in a number of dramatic battles in the [[Transionia]] region before Caelius IV announced his allegenience to Leo. Caelius led the Julian forces past the [[Northgate]] and into [[Carolina]] in February [[965]], setting the Royal court to siege. As Royal forces raced back to lift the siege, they were caught between Julian and Eastern forces and crushed at the Battle of Nitcus on 30 April [[965]]. After the battle, the remaining Conine nobles surrendered and recognized Leo I as Southern King of the Levantines. Leo entered [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]] on 24 May and was crowned [[Emperor of the Levantines]], restoring the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Levantine Empire]] following a 48 year interregnum. Leo's victory meant the end of a distinct Southern Kingdom and Court as Imperial power was centered in [[Corcra (City)|Corcra]]; higher political authority moving far to the east meant that, going forward, the rulers of the Julian realm would enjoy a freer hand and the end of Royal interference in the succession. | ||
[[File:Weltchronik Fulda Aa88 168r detail.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The assassination of Caelius IV.]] | |||
Caelius IV spent the remaining years of his reign combatting domestic conspiracies against him by the family of Esquilinus, the Archduke claimant defeated in the late 950s. | Caelius IV spent the remaining years of his reign combatting domestic conspiracies against him by the family of Esquilinus, the Archduke claimant defeated in the late 950s. Caelius faced a revolt of Esquilinus's brother and brother-in-law in [[971]] and defeated the rebel faction in late 971, after which time he decided to launch a small purge of the Esquiline family. Most notably, Esquilinus - still living as a monk - was strangled in January [[972]]. The killing of a monk, even a political rival, shocked both the public and nobility in [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]]. The strangulation led to many of Caelius's close allies to abandon him, as his quest for vengence was viewed to be immoral, illegal, and a sign of possible madness. Esquilinus's nephew Comedan, son of his sister, snuck into the [[Julian Palace]] on 19 March [[972]] and assassinated Caelius. Caelius was succeeded by his son Julius III, who was generally affable and liked by most of those who had abandoned Caelius. Wisely, Julius decided not to pursue the same level of paternal vengence that his father had: Comedan was executed, but rumors regarding those who had allowed him into the palace were not pursued. Being just 20 years old upon the time of his accession, Julius would mend most broken relationships and end the longrunning Esquiline conspiracy, and would also continue his father's practice of ruling from Urceopolis. | ||
In [[996]], the last Leonine [[Emperor of the Levantines]] - Brian IV - died unexpectedly at the age of 29. No clear blood successor presented themselves, and accordingly the Empire was governed by the Archbishop of Corcra as a regent for most of [[996]]. Rumors circulated that the Archbishop intended to select a blood relative of himself as next Emperor, or that a member of the [[Conine dynasty]] would be selected. While both options were impalatable to the Julian dynasty, the return of the hated Conines were especially offensive. A number of vassals throughout the Empire went into open revolt, and Archduke Julius III decided to join the rebelling factions. After a series of battles in [[996]] and early [[997]], the rebels took [[Corcra]], largely led by Archduke Julius III. As part of the effort, Archduke Julius secured an agreement that the Emperor would be elected by the most powerful or worthy vassals of the Empire via the [[Collegial Electorate]]. ''Julius Secures the Imperial Liberties'', a romantic painting of the Archduke forcing the Imperial regent to sign a charter (the Pragmatic Sanction of 997) following the regent’s defeat on the field, became an iconic rallying symbol for Urcean national identity within the Empire in the 19th century. Julius's rivals throughout the Empire, including the former Regent, excluded both Urceopolis and Harren from the Electorate, beginning a century-long effort by the Julian dynasty to gain a vote in Imperial elections. Despite being excluded, Julius remained in Corcra and pledged his loyalty to [[List_of_Emperors_of_the_Levantines#Cornellian_Dynasty|Emperor Louis I]], Duke of [[Allaria]], before returning home. After 30 years as Archduke and Duke, Julius III died in the spring of 1002. | In [[996]], the last Leonine [[Emperor of the Levantines]] - Brian IV - died unexpectedly at the age of 29. No clear blood successor presented themselves, and accordingly the Empire was governed by the Archbishop of Corcra as a regent for most of [[996]]. Rumors circulated that the Archbishop intended to select a blood relative of himself as next Emperor, or that a member of the [[Conine dynasty]] would be selected. While both options were impalatable to the Julian dynasty, the return of the hated Conines were especially offensive. A number of vassals throughout the Empire went into open revolt, and Archduke Julius III decided to join the rebelling factions. After a series of battles in [[996]] and early [[997]], the rebels took [[Corcra]], largely led by Archduke Julius III. As part of the effort, Archduke Julius secured an agreement that the Emperor would be elected by the most powerful or worthy vassals of the Empire via the [[Collegial Electorate]]. ''Julius Secures the Imperial Liberties'', a romantic painting of the Archduke forcing the Imperial regent to sign a charter (the Pragmatic Sanction of 997) following the regent’s defeat on the field, became an iconic rallying symbol for Urcean national identity within the Empire in the 19th century. Julius's rivals throughout the Empire, including the former Regent, excluded both Urceopolis and Harren from the Electorate, beginning a century-long effort by the Julian dynasty to gain a vote in Imperial elections. Despite being excluded, Julius remained in Corcra and pledged his loyalty to [[List_of_Emperors_of_the_Levantines#Cornellian_Dynasty|Emperor Louis I]], Duke of [[Allaria]], before returning home. After 30 years as Archduke and Duke, Julius III died in the spring of 1002. | ||