History of Urcea (800-1098): Difference between revisions

The '''History of Urcea from 800 to 1098''', sometimes also called the '''Archducal Period''', consists of period of time from the death of [[Saint Julius I]] in 800 AD to the proclamation of the [[Golden Bull of 1098]]. This period saw the rise of the [[Julian dynasty]] within the newly established realms of the [[Archduchy of Urceopolis]] and the [[Grand Duchy of Harren|Duchy of Harren]], and additionally saw the growing power of the [[Julian dynasty]] within the [[Southern Kingdom of the Levantines]]. During this period, the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Levantine Empire]] disintegrated and was partially reunited. The two Julian realms were united in 922, forming a powerful constituent part of the rapidly weakening Southern Kingdom of the Levantines. This period saw the first [[Emperor of the Levantines]] of the [[Julian dynasty]], confirming their rapid ascent. In the midst of a civil war that threatened the existence of the Levantine Empire, Emperor Saint Charles II offered the Royal dignity to the Julians in exchange for their support. In 1098, the two Julian realms were united and the descendants of Saint Julius I assumed the Kingship of [[Urcea]] that year, marking the formal foundation of the country.

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 Grand Duke Seán, of the [[Grand Duchy of Harren|Duchy of Harren]], direct descendant of [[Saint Julius I]]'s brother who had been placed there as Grand 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, Grand 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 I]], 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. 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 King, however, would intervene and the elder Niall was killed on the battlefield, allowing the 7-year old Niall of House Julio-Harren to become Archduke and Grand 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.