History of Urcea (1214-1402): Difference between revisions

== Al<span id="Aleckán_restored"></span>eckán restored ==

Donnchad outmaneuvered the Cónn loyalists that fought on behalf of Aedanicus III, who was physically and mentally unfit to lead his armies. Prince Donnchad seized [[Urceopolis (City)|Urceopolis]] on July 1st, 1253, being crowned the same day. In an attempt to end the dynastic feud, Donnchad I allowed the senile Aedanicus III to live unmolested in retirement in a small wing of the [[Julian Palace]], where he died without incident in 1257. Aedanicus III's son, the defeated Prince Adrian, saw the new King's act as one of kindness and pledged loyalty to him and disavowed his claim to the Throne. During this period, Donnchad began the Urcean envelopment of the [[Latinic people|Latinic]] city-states of [[Crotona]] and [[Tromarine]], a process that would not be completed until the mid 17th century. These rich trading cities would strengthen Urcea considerably and give it an important naval foothold in the [[Odoneru Ocean]]. Donnchad spent much of his reign campaigning in Crotona and by the end of his life he had managed to subdue most of what is today the province of North Crotona.

The peace was not to last, however; Donnchad was succeeded by his quarrelsome son Riordan IV, who befriended Prince Adrian and relied on Cónn support to defeat his domestic rivals among the nobility, including some Julio-Aleckán loyalists. Riordan's reign was primarily characterized by his attempts to centralize Royal authority and his alliance with the Cónns gave him great utility in this, though he eventually waged civil war as some of the nobles rose up against him in arms. Besides internal strife, Riordan's reign was also consumed with finishing the work launched by his father with respect to solidifying control over trade along the western coast and southeastern Odoneru. The previous century, King Niall I had managed to position the [[Creagmer republics]] as tributaries of [[Urcea]] while conquering one of the largest. Like Crotona and Tromarine, these areas were key to Odoneru treade routes, and accordingly Riordan heavily prioritized their further integration. Asserting his rights as the [[Imperial Kingdom of Urcea|Imperial overlord]] of the cities, Riordan invaded in 1270 and launched a campaign which alternated between brutality and mercy, destroying the private lands and mansions of the merchant classes who opposed him while sparing and granting lands to merchant who supported him. Following three years of campaigning, the [[Creagmer republics]] all swore direct fealty to the [[Apostolic King of Urcea]] in exchange for the merchant classes all being granted immediate status as [[Social_class_in_Urcea#Optimate|optimates]] within Urcean society. On his death in 1275 due to battle wounds, Riordan IV controversially named the Prince Adrian as his successor, who took the Throne on April 3rd, 1275. The Julio-Aleckán faction - most of whom were already in arms against Riordan - disputed the succession by law, claiming that Adrian was not only ineligible to succeed due to Riordan's brother Niall having a better claim, but also due to his having renounced the Throne during the reign of Donnchad I. Adrian I managed to rally the [[Royal and Imperial Army (Urcea)|Royal Army]] and defeat the Noble forces, who sought a Royal charter of some kind, and managed to secure his place on the Throne for the next 37 years.