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History of Urcea (800-1098): Difference between revisions
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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 [[Grand Duchy of Harren|Duchy of Harren]], direct descendant of [[Gaius Julius Cicurinus|Saint Julius of the Caeline]]'s brother who had been placed there as Duke in the 8th century. The King of Carolina viewed this to be unacceptable, as the combination of the so-called "Julian Realms' would render him impotent. The King of Carolina 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 Harren (including loyalists in the vacant Archduchy) and the King. In the end,Duke Seán triumphed and was crowned Archduke of Urceopolis and also Mayor of the Palace (of the Southern Kingdom of the Levantines), elevating House Harren to the true power in the Kingdom. Seán would marry his eldest son to a bride from the direct descent line of Saint Julius, which would eventually bear Niall of House "Julio-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 House Julio-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. | 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 [[Grand Duchy of Harren|Duchy of Harren]], direct descendant of [[Gaius Julius Cicurinus|Saint Julius of the Caeline]]'s brother who had been placed there as Duke in the 8th century. The King of Carolina viewed this to be unacceptable, as the combination of the so-called "Julian Realms' would render him impotent. The King of Carolina 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 Harren (including loyalists in the vacant Archduchy) and the King. In the end,Duke Seán triumphed and was crowned Archduke of Urceopolis and also Mayor of the Palace (of the Southern Kingdom of the Levantines), elevating House Harren to the true power in the Kingdom. Seán would marry his eldest son to a bride from the direct descent line of Saint Julius, which would eventually bear Niall of House "Julio-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 House Julio-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 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. | ||
Niall II's abdication elevated Caelius IV as Archduke and Duke, at least in name. The abdication of Niall presented an opportunity for prominent magnates of the [[Archduchy of Urceopolis]] to revolt against the continuation of the personal union, as many deeply resented being ruled from Cálfeld. Unlike previous attempts to meddle with the united Julian realms, the Southern King of the Levantines pledged neutrality in the succession after having extracted Niall's agreement to abdicate. This left the rebels in the Archduchy relatively isolated, but their power and influence nonetheless made the rebellion a considerable threat to the continuation of the united Julian realm. The rebels elevated a man named Esquilinus, a noble descended from [[Saint Julius of the Caeline]] in the female line, as nominal Archduke. The so-called Esquiline Rebellion lasted from Niall's abdication in [[956]] until late [[959]], when Duke Caelius defeated the rebels near the modern site of [[Castle Welute]] on the [[Urce River]] and forced Esquilinus into a convent. The rebels recognized Caelius as Archduke on 4 October [[959]]. Although most historians do not count Esquilinus among the line of Urceopolitan Archdukes, a minority position holds that he held the position both de facto and de jure according to the existing Archducal political apparatus. After the conflict, Caelius decided to move his court to [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]] in order to placate the local nobility and ensure the longterm viability of the House of Harren as Archdukes. | |||
== Restoration of the Empire == | == Restoration of the Empire == | ||