I got carried away after the last HoS list Challenge
Kings of England and Dukes of Normandy, and their assorted other Realms (1069-2019)
HOUSE OF NORMANDY
1069-1090: William I “the Conqueror”
Claimant to the English throne after the death of Edward “the Confessor” as Duke of Normandy. Assembled an army in the summer of 1066 but bad weather meant he couldn’t cross. Ruled as Regent of France for three years, before circumstances in England and France saw him to gather a new army and sail for England. Conquered England from Harald “Hardrada”, who had taken it from Harold Godwinson in 1066. Allied himself with rebel Anglo-Saxons who preferred Norman rule to Viking. Allegedly killed Hardrada in personal combat at the Battle of the River Leven (1069), having driven the Norwegian King north in the spring campaign. Crowned King in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1069. Launched the Harrowing of the Shires (1072-1080) to subdue rebel Saxon Earls in the West Country and the Midlands and fought off raids by Danish challengers. Lost most of his sons on campaigns, the youngest was ordained a Bishop. Fought failing health until his designated heir came of age. Died aged 62.
1090-1115: William II “the Dragon”
Born 1074. Son of Richard, Duke of Somerset (1054-1082), grandson of William I; died age 36 of Typhus while on campaign in the Welsh Valleys; Conquered parts of Wales and secured the Aquitaine Inheritance (1097); start of the Vexin Wars (1100s-1250s), as series of intermittent skirmishes, campaigns, and raids with the French over the strategic county.
1115-1148: Richard I “the Sword of God”
Born 1099. Son of the Dragon; inspired by the failure of the Children’s Crusade (1111-13) at Antioch, joined and fought on the Second Crusade (1130-42) in Egypt, crowned first Catholic King of Egypt (1140); died aged 49 in Alexandria of natural causes after defeating the First Jihad to reclaim Egypt (1145-47); laid to rest in Canterbury Cathedral.
1148-1164: Henry I “the Glorious”
Born 1123. Son of Richard I; Moved the Capital to Bordeaux from Normandy; began building the Gothic Palace of St Jude there as his main residence (1150); Fought the Second Jihad (1149-51); Conquered Northern Wales (1158-1160) and Sinai (1163) and gifted it to the Knights Templar; died aged 41 in battle in an uprising by Egyptian Coptics.
1164-1208: Henry II “the Cuckold King”, “the Hammer of Outremer”
Born 1149. Son of Henry I; Reformer of English, Norman, and Aquitanian Law; Centralised rule in Bordeaux and the English Chancery; Fought in the Third Crusade (1175-78), Conquered Jerusalem in the name of his second son, Ralph; inherited Jerusalem after Ralph died childless (1200). Had eight wives, one annulled marriage (Lady Hextilda of Wessex, 1179), two executed for treason (Duchess Anna of Damietta, 1175; Holy Roman Princess Bava, 1198), three died of disease (Princess Ida of France, 1181; Holy Roman Princess Sybille 'the Merry', 1190; Queen Margrete of Norway, 1206), one assassinated (Byzantine Princess Eirene, 1203) by the Archbishop of Worcester for her Religion; last outlived him (Duchess Edith of Bedford), suspected involvement in his death at 59.
1208-1246: Henry III “the Pious”
Born 1199. Son of Henry II; completed the Anglo-Norman Conquest of Wales (1228); inherited Iceland as part of Wife’s Dowery; famous for his friendship and theological correspondences with Pope Leo X (1200-30) and the joined the Anatolian Crusade (1217-20) against the Seljuk Turks; became main opponent of “the Mad Pope” Leo XI (1236-58); approved the expansion of the Templars and his Crusader vassals into Arabia. Founded Oxford University (1224) and Caen University (1240), died of Natural causes aged 47.
1246-1270: Henry IV “the Conciliator”
Born 1217, Son of Henry III; fought the Great Revolt (1246-55) against his French, English and Norman vassals across the Empire, as well as the Knights Templar, the Scots, and the French Kings. Famed for his strength and prowess in single combat. Ended the Vexin Wars after breaking the French King Robert VI’s army at Poissy and storming Paris (1263), annexing the city afterwards. Lobbied hard for the beatification of father and grandfather, beatified himself along with Henry II in 1299. Plague began to devastate his Empire when it arrived at the border of Jerusalem in 1260s. Founded the Cardinal’s College in Durham (1263), with Duke Wiglaf of Northumberland and the Cardinal of Durham. Committed suicide after the death of suspected lover and Chancellor, Duke Wiglaf, aged 53.
1270-1271: Simon “the Sick”
Born 1241 Second son of Henry IV; a well-known diplomat in European circles. Was representing his father in Constantinople in negotiations over Cyprus when news came; paid homage to the Pope in person, who crowned him in Rome; contracted the Plague in Toulouse at a meeting with the French King Yves I (1268-98), died shortly after arriving at Bordeaux aged 30.
HOUSE OF FITZSIMON
1271-: Queen Julianna
Died aged 7 after contracting the Plague her father brought home; died as the succession crisis began.
1271-1276: Queen Adelaide
Died aged 10. Despite having survived the Plague when her Regents moved the court to estates along the Humber in Northern England, chronic chest pains troubled her throughout her life. Realms of Jerusalem and Egypt separated from the English Crown after ruling by the Pope Stephen XII (1269-1275) and enforced by Pope Innocent IV (1275-1289) that Salic succession applied to the Crusader Kingdoms. Adelaide’s Uncles Edward (1247-1299) and Geoffrey (1252-1310) were elected Kings of Jerusalem (1274) and Egypt (1276) respectively.
HOUSE OF YORK
1276-1292: Henry V “Harry Whoremonger”, “the Unchaste”
Born 1245. Third son of Henry IV. Had been Earl of York in his own right, and moved the capital to the City, caused friction with the nobles who preferred the Aquitaine and Normandy. His reputation with women was well-known and he was ruled out in favour of younger siblings for the crowns of Outremer. Suffered numerous revolts by the peasantry, refused to participate in the Nordic Crusade (1280-85). Signed edicts forcing the removal of Jews from his realms and seized their property. Financed the Templar seizure of Connaught and Western Ireland to buy Papal indulgence. Died at stool age 47.
1292-1314: Richard II
Born 1280. Only legitimate son of Henry V. First King to have English as first language since the Conquest. Fought the Bishop’s Revolt (1300-02) against the Archbishops of Warwick, Worcester and Winchester over Church obligations for Taxes and Levies. Fought a War with King Guiomar “the Cruel” (1298-1333) of Scotland for concessions in Southern Ireland and border castles in the Lowlands (1305-1308). Received ambassadors from France, requesting help for King Yves I against invasion by Tryggve Dovre (1276-1347) and the Nords but decline to intervene. Expanded the Treasury, and improved the English and Aquitanian economies, reducing the inflation that ravaged his father’s rule. Died of a stroke, aged 34.
1314-1357: Saint Elizabeth “the Righteous”
Born 1298. Bastard Daughter of Richard II, legitimized by the Pope after his marriage to his lover, Duchess Mary of Meath. Granted charters to La Rochelle, Caen, Portsmouth, and Hull to create greater ports and foster trade, expanding the rights of the Burghers. Supported a rising by the Ulster Burghers against King Guiomar “the Cruel” of Scotland, consequently annexed the Nine Counties to the English Crown (1326-29). Married the Holy Roman Prince Ruprecht of Pomeranian (1295-1358) at Canterbury Cathedral (1316). Rebuilt the York Minster after it burned down into brand new Cathedral, also began building Huntingdon Castle North of York as the new Royal Residence, later named the Palace of Saint David. Accepted the fealty of Morcant III, Duke of Brittany (1301-44), completing the Supremacy of the England on the French Atlantic coast (1333). Encouraged the secularisation of administration, improved the standard of living of the peasantry, as well as their rights under the law. Sent her husband and son, Richard, Prince of Wales, with Armies to join the Knights of Santiago and King Tryggve “the Great Nore” (1298-1347) of France to fight the Reconquista of Iberia (1313-53), was forced to withdraw by Tryggve, who was crowned as King of Seville, while the Knights elected the new Kings of Navarre and Badajoz (1340). Negotiated a truce between the Papacy and Holy Roman Emperor Andreas I “Lionheart”, settling the HRE’s border in Italy with the Papal States. Adopted Saint George as patron and his flag as part of the Royal Standard, later a permanent fixture of the nation’s national flag. Died due to complications of gout aged 59. Sainted by the Church in 1370.
HOUSE OF GRIFFIN
1357-1362: Richard III
Born 1318. Took his father’s name, hoping to set himself up for nomination as Holy Roman Emperor. Otherwise, a reign of little note, concentrated on increasing the wealth and stability of his fiefdom. The plague would resurge in England, which the King contracted and died aged 44.
1362-1411: William III “the Apostle”
Born 1346. Launched the Irish Wars (1367; 1370-72; 1377-81; 1398-1400) against King Albert of Ireland, after the Scottish lords stripped him of the Scottish Crown (1366) in favour of Adam, Duke of Atholl. Then defeated the Knights Templars at Carrickfergus (1401) to usurp the Irish Crown. Fought off a raid by the Moors against Cornwall and Brittany. Married the Queen of Aragon before the marriage was annulled (1375). Pressured the Papacy to force the separation of Seville and France (1386). Dispatched a fleet to seize the Canary Islands as retribution for Moorish raids, consequently transported Catholic armies in Iberia to Morocco (1387-90). Sent troops to join the Latin Crusade (1404-10) and laid siege to Constantinople with the Papal armies, while the German, Anatolian and Egyptian armies fought the Byzantines in the Caucuses and the Balkans. Pushed for laws increasing the exclusion of Jews and other heretics that had returned to England and Aquitaine in the reign of Elizabeth. Finally arrived to accept the surrender of the last Byzantine Emperor, Adrianos “Half-Hand” (1410). Returned to England via Rome, before dying a year later during a council meeting, clutching his chest, aged 65.
1411-1438: David I “the Wise”
Born 1397. Noted for his intellect at an early age, and studied at Oxford University and Cardinal College in Durham, particularly law, declined recusing the Regency early to complete his studies. Determined to reform the administration, particularly to secularise it. Secured the primacy of the Crown to appoint and nominate Bishops and Archbishops, without damaging relations with Rome. Made changes to the obligations to the Crown of the Nobles, Burgher and Clergy regarding tax and levies. Became well known to his subjects by touring the Kingdoms regularly and his “Parlés”, where he addressed mass meetings of Commoners and the local Nobility. Decidedly introspective in foreign affairs where the Templars refilled the power vacuum in Ireland and Western Scotland, and France in Iberia. Suffered a stroke and died aged 41.
1438-1460: David II “the Great”
Born 1417. Determined from an early age to be an ideal Knight, became famous for travelling in his youth to travel Europe for jousts and tourneys from the age of 15, allegedly the inspiration for Hoccleve’s Arthurian Poems. Also given the Crown of Scotland (1452) from his mother’s claim, after it came into dispute in 1450, the Scottish lords settling on him after an Anglo-Scottish coalition saw off a challenge by Matthieu de La Marche and the French Crown backing him for Scotland. Warred with Templars leading to their end as a power in Western Europe, first in Scotland, then organizing their removal from their fortresses in Connacht (1440-1455). Joined the Crusade for Arabia (1443-1447), first English Monarch to join a Crusade in person since Henry III. Won a great victory at Aqaba, then Medina (1445) with his brother William, before capturing Mecca (1447), ending the Fatmid Sultanate forever, sending Shia Islam into decline. Ensured the Crowning of his brother as the Catholic King of Arabia (1446), before departing Outremer. Enforced his will on the College of Cardinals to elect his uncle, Cardinal-Archbishop Richard of Northumberland as Pope Leo XIII (1451-1465), ensuring English control of the Papacy for the remainder of the Century. Fought three separate wars between 1451-1458 with France and the Holy Roman Empire, annexing the duchies of Toulouse and Barcelona and gained concessions to English traders in the Low Countries, also won the Battle of Charolais, capturing the Emperor Erich and King Raymond II during the fighting. First to call himself “King of the Britons and the Aquitaine, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Brittany”. Died in a joust as a guest of his lover, Countess Emma of Paris, aged 43.
1460-1488: David III “the Lesser”
Born 1440, died aged 48. Married Princess Maria of Aragon (1461), allied with her father, Manel I (1449-1476) – an alliance that lasts to present day – sent troops to the aid Aragon in conquering Seville. Tried to emulate his father and warred with the Holy Roman Empire, loosing badly when his army was destroyed at Strasbourg (1473). The Bullion Famine of the 1480s ended further military pursuits. Arbitrated the Treaty of Acre (1482), recusing himself of the Arabian Crown offering it to Humphrey IV of Egypt, and granting custody of Palestine to the Knights Templar as a buffer between Egypt and Anatolia.
1488-1527: Richard IV
Born 1464, died aged 63. Sponsored Brendan Clonmel’s voyages from Ulster to Africa (1490-1513), as well as John Cabot’s consequential discovery of the Cabotian Islands (1500) and Cabotsland (1502), as part of the age of Discovery and settlement of the Americas by Europeans. Created High Courts for the main regions of his Kingdoms (Scotland and the Isles; Wales and the Marches; Ireland; Brittany, Normandy, and the Aquitaine), also the Court of the Star Chamber based at Scarborough Castle, with himself as supreme judge for the kingdom to ensure fair judgement and ease of administration.
1527-1536: William IV
Born 1487. Began serious funding of the navy, refurbishing the ‘Charter Ports’, and expanding the privilege to Bristol, Cork, and Brest. Turned a blind eye to the infiltration of Protestants into the Court, who restrained the efforts of Papal authorities to clamped down on Reformers and Protestants in Kingdoms. Died aged 49.
1536-1601: David IV “the Good”
Born 1531, died aged 70. Regency was troubled by Civil War between Protestant and Catholics, spending most of his time barricaded in Scarborough Castle with Thomas, Earl Marshal of Lancaster (1507-1569). Highlights of the violence included the St Stephen’s Days Massacre in London (1540); Occitanic Inquisition (1534-55); O’Neil’s Rebellion (1539-41); Massacre of the Stewarts at Dundee (1543); and the Pilgrim’s Marches (1546-1548). Last of which were marches by Scottish and Irish Protestants armies against Welsh and English Catholic armies – Newcastle, Carlisle and Chester were sacked, Lincolnshire and East Anglia put to the torch – when both armies moved to sack York and do battle, the King arrived, having spent the last year of his Regency rallying an army at Caen, having landed at Hull. Compelled both sides to surrender their arms and pay him homage. Radicals on both sides were hanged, including the Bishops of Inverness, Dublin, Rochefort; Earls of Donegal and Dorset; Dukes of Kent, Munster, Anglesey; and the Laird of Galbraith. Enforced a Peace between rival factions in Britain and Ireland at the point of the sword, convened a permanent, formal Parlé of the Lords, Bishops, and Commons at York to air grievances. Became determined to charter a third way between Protestantism and Catholicism, isolating himself from the Papacy when his army landed in Gascony and forced out the Papal ordered Occitanic Inquisition. Hundreds of thousands fled the Kingdoms out of fear of reprisal by radicals on either side to colonise the “New World” but remained loyal to the Crown as the price to practise freely, rights were extended to indigenous peoples who in Cabotian Islands and North America assimilated, South American and Cabotsland natives were not so lucky. Extended Jews the same right as Christians and to return to the realm. Remained insular but supervised a prosperous reign, expanding trade to China and the Indies, especially after encountering their settlements in the Western Americas, but was marred by a personal tragedy after his only son committed suicide at the age of 21.
1601-1631: Henry VI
Born 1566, grandson of David IV, died aged 65. Overcame a brief challenge to his reign when his aunt’s husband, Edward, Duke of Paris (1549-1603), attempted to seize the throne with Papal backing. Consequentially used the Parliament to officiate the separation of the English Church with the backing of the Commons and Lords as the Papacy proved too great a liability to the security of the Nations but resisted efforts to Protestant-ize the Church. Statute of the Restraint of Appeals passed (1606); the Nations remained nominally Catholic but no longer “Roman”, Protestant in appearance, but Catholic in doctrine, with the King head of the Church. Used his position to found Sunday Schools and begin spreading education. Stepped up the colonisation of Cabotsland, moving efforts from the Isthmus of Panama and Yucatán to conquest of Mayan and Aztec Kingdoms, namely, to acquire their gold in the face of competition from Chinese and Gujarati settlements further North. Henry also became a great Patron of the Arts as the main sponsor of various poets, artists, and playwrights.
1631-1639: William V “One-arm”
Born 1591, son of Henry VI, died aged 48. Imposed limitation on Jewish rights, especially land ownership and added tithes to Synagogues. Determined to undo isolation of his Kingdom from Europe through military means, despite no formal training or experience. Reopened the alliance with Aragon and allied with German Protestant rulers to fight a series of conflicts with Badajoz, Swabia, and Austria – personally led the disastrous invasion of Papal Tuscany, losing his right arm at the Battle of Vinci (1634). Briefly saw Paris captured and burned by French mercenaries employed by Swabia, crippling the Norman and Aquitanian economy for years before the City was retaken by the Earl of Cherbourg (1636). Fought his only truly decisive campaign in the First Great Northern War (1630-44) – though it would claim his life at the Battle of Skillingaryd – Cherbourg’s command of the Coalition forces ensured the permanent decline of the Kingdom of Norway and the rise of the Swedish Empire.
1639-1655: David V
Born 1630, Regency 1639-1646, died aged 25. With the defeat of Norway, the Parliament and Regent encouraged settlement of lands claimed by Norwegians of Vinland, expanding Crown settlements in North America from the Hudson River, west to the Great Lakes and North to Hudson Bay. Reigned in his own right, poorly, for nine years, running up huge personal debts by his 20th year. Though popular with the commoners, the nobility and the church were ashamed by his drinking, his well-known sexual activities and loutish behaviour on state occasions. Tested the relationship between the Crown and Parliament as many began to speak out and challenge him public, but the King took no interest – deputising his duties to others. Contracted a pox and died with no heir.
HOUSE OF CALVET
1655-1696: Richard V
Born 1646, Regency 1655-1662. First monarch of the House of Calvet. after his predecessor failed to conceive an heir. A special Parliament was convened in London to decide the succession. The Calvet’s were young in aristocratic terms, having been Occitan merchants, before making a name as soldiers during the reign of David IV, rewarded with titles for their loyalty to the Crown. Robert Calvet served gallantly as a cavalry general under William V and wed his sister Cecilia, whose line was chosen to follow though she died predeceased her nephew. Robert Calvet secured the Stewardship and his son as King with the consent of Parliament and the Star Chamber. Faced the FitzWilliam Rebellion (1656-59) from a rival claimant by William V’s illegitimate son, Clement. During the Regency and the early years of his Kingship, tried to fight off the French Resurgence (1630s-1670s), where many historical French lands were reclaimed and new lands west of the Rhine were added and Toulouse was forcibly ceded to the Prince of Provence. After British armies were beaten in the Seine Campaign (1669-1673), conceded Paris back to the French crown after 400 years of English rule. Signed an alliance with Danish to secure territorial division in America between British Cabotsland and Fredricksland, the coalition of colonial forces ended Aztec rule in central Mexico, and pushed the Gujarati in to the Pacific, also allowed British ships safe harbour on Danish islands in the South Atlantic to pass Cape Horn safely from Papal and Badajocean privateers for a time. Died aged 50.
1696-1719: David VI
Born 1669. Faced down the Second FitzWilliam Rebellion (1698-99). Signed the Ludlow Reforms (1701) – a series of constitutional changes, making the position of High Steward (effectively the King’s chief minister, and head of the Council) a permanent position with appointment subject to Parliamentary approval, opening more prerogatives to the Steward and Parliament. Sided with Sweden over Denmark in the Second Great Northern War (1703-17), leading to the end of Danish power in north Germany and the Baltic and set boundary between British and Danish colonies in Cabotsland at the Grand River. Signed a charter forming the Indus Trading Company to establish trade with the subcontinent and open routes into the Pacific. Died aged 49.
1719-1740: David VII
Born 1687. Saw the establishment of political factions in the Three Houses of Parliament – the Kirks (mainly from the Commons, supportive of the Burghers, Free Trade and religious tolerance); the Abhorrers (mainly from the Clergy, supportive of High Church orthodoxy); the Brookes (moderate faction of the Lords, typical allies of the Kirks, but reactionary on nobility rights); the Montesards (Occitan faction, usual allies of the Kirks, but anti-Free Trade and pro-High Church); Davidians (extreme moderates, historically most fluid, bending to the preference of the current King); the Buffs (mainly from the Lords, reactionary, paternalist, agrarian). Sided with Aragon and Egypt in the Sicilian Succession War (1724-30) against Badajoz, Provence, and Anatolia. Suffered humiliating defeat by his navy at the Battles of Ibiza, Coruna, and Gibraltar (1724-25), consequently began serious naval reform, authoring Articles of War for army and naval discipline. Fought the last FitzWilliam Rebellion (1729-30), commanding the final battle at Shrewsbury (1730) and placing Wales and Brittany under Marshal Law for the rest of his reign. Signed the Treaty of Rouen (1737) with King Yves IV of France, aimed to end the long rivalry between the two, established roughly the modern borders in west Europe, and helped insulate the Kingdom from Central European conflicts. Died aged 53.
1740-1773: William VI
Born 1707. Noted for his strong religious views and preference for the Abhorrers in Parliament, handing Stewardship to a series of Bishops. Caused the Vendee Crisis (1750) when he handed the post to Bishop Georges of Talmont (1698-1769), a Papal Legate and future Cardinal, but anti-Popist sentiment forced a retreat and a coalition formed by the Montesard Marquis de Moncoutant (1688-1755). Launched the “Timber Wars” (1745-1780), after attacks on the Indus Trading Company outposts on Madagascar, ultimately leading to the island’s annexation and colonisation by the Company. Pushed for the New Ireland Ordinance (1766) giving greater powers to colonial governors to raise their own troops instead of relying on militias and placing constrictions on trade of certain goods between colonies after various incidents. Encouraged the Viceroys of Cabotsland to supply arms to Apache and Pueblo tribes to unbalance Yuan expansion east of Jiazhou leading to the Colorouge Wars (1770s-1830s). Later years of his reign became marked by crackdowns on the “moral” enemies at home. Died aged 66.
1773-1819: William VII “the Emperor”
Born 1740. Oversaw the “Williamite Revolution” (1775-1800) in government bringing the Enlightenment to fruition through his realm, side-lined the House of Clergy, replacing it with the Ecclesiastical Council for Bishops and nixing its right to legislate, secularising all government beside his status as Head of the Church. Reversed the New Ireland Ordinance, defusing colonial tensions, allowed the forming of colonial legislatures with control of local matters, and allowing them to send deputies admitted to the House of Commons to stop infighting between individual colonies and decide matters of State. Saw the collapse of the old Parties and the establishment of the new Parties – the Patriots (amalgamation of the Kirks, Montesards, and Brookes); the Bucks, later the Cobs (amalgamation of the Buffs, Abhorrers and Davidians, named for their Party leaders, Duke of Buckingham (1720-91), later Robert Cobham (1768-1821)); and Voltigeurs (a radical faction that strayed into Republicanism at times, but enjoyed surprising leverage at Court for a while). Led the country through the Ten Year’s War (1777-88) – establishing the British fleet as masters of the Atlantic after the Battle of the Gambia (1779) and gaining a strong position for the ITC in Bengal after Battle at Chandannagar (1783) – forced the defeated Provence and Denmark to end the trading of Slaves from West Africa in the Cabot Islands and North American colonies, though the trade continues without restriction in Cabotsland and South America. Due to his marriage to Caterine of Austria (1739-1812), was elected as Holy Roman Emperor in 1790 as compromise between Swabian Prince-Elector Oskar III and Duke Adolf of Saxony. Consequently, began to delegate more power to Parliament and the Steward as he spent more time in the HRE, later insisting that his realm join the Wars of the Three Revolutions (1797-1820). Spent the last two decades of his life politicking to continue the wars and preserve counter-revolutionary activity in Europe before his health collapsed in 1815 and spent the rest of his life bedridden, dying aged 79.
1819-1825: David VIII “the Solider King”
Born 1767. Was fourth in line to the throne at the time of his birth, as Duke of Rothesay, never expected to be made King and led a surprisingly meritocratic career as a soldier, first in Gascony and later the Colonies. Accepted a controversial commission as a Colonel in the ITC, commanding Forts St. David, and St. Elizabeth in Bengal during the Second Vijayid War (1796-99). Aimed to return home to fight in the Revolutionary Wars, but was side-tracked in Egypt, fighting for Humphrey X (1789-1802) and William III (1802-36) of Egypt in Syria against Anatolia and the Persians. Left the Levant in 1803, returning to the Aquitaine, commanding brigades in the Alpine and Lombardy Campaigns. His experience in the East saw him lead an expedition into the Black Sea (1805) to support the Trebizond Empire fighting the Tectonic Republic, recalled after the disastrous Treaty of Kyiv (1807) after the Teutons and Poles defeated Trebizond. Served as ambassador to Aragon till 1810, when he was routed to Sicily, eventually crossing the Adriatic, and consequently commanding the Coalition armies in the Balkan War (1801-20) until the end of the Revolutionary Wars, capturing Venice one week before the Consul of Provence surrendered. Came to the throne after his nephew, Prince Regent Francis Albert’s appendix burst in 1818, putting him next in line. Remained in the field during the War of the Last Alliance (1820-22), wounded commanding the British contingent in the Battle of the Nations (1821), becoming the last British reigning monarch to lead men in battle. Attended the Congress of Prague (1822-23) to settle to the new world order, before finally returning to York, ruling in his own right for only 2 years, dying after complications of pneumonia and previous wounds suffered in battle aged 58.
1825-1875: John I
Born 1809, died aged 66. Only child of his father, born in Zaragoza during his father’s ambassadorship. His Mother, Queen Regent Charlotte (1770-1844), imposed an extended regency period on her son, backed by a tight clique of Parliamentary Cobs to extend their hold on the Stewardship which was marked by increased corruption in the royal household and conflict with the Colonies, especially Cabotsland and Saint Louis in South America as a result of the Embargo Clauses of the Congress of Prague, which restricted trade of slaves from Danish, Sicilian and Provenceal African territories to the Americas. Saint Louis’ plantations and Cabotsland’s mining economies were historically dependent on native slave labour, but as their population declined African slavery began to replace this. The Embargo Clause began to tank these colonial economies – after the end of the Regency and the start of the “Patriot Sovereignty” (1831-70), tensions only increased, especially as the Patriot MPs from North America pushed for tariffs to protect their agriculture that were largely uncontaminated by slave labour. Tensions exploded with the Battle of Hopkins (1835), leading to the Cabotian War of Independence (1835-42) and the Amazon Insurrection (1837-43). Despite Crown forces superiority in battle and control of the sea, guerrilla tactics and support by the Danes of Fredricksland and Chinese from Jiazhou saw victory for the Cabotian Republic and the United States of the Amazon. The Utopia Colonies between the southern shore of Lake Nicaragua and Essequibo River remained loyal due to their much sparser populations, and the North American colonies redoubled their efforts to ingratiate themselves to the Motherland as old colonial rivalries became national ones. King John never lived down the loss of his most populous and prosperous colonies to Revolution, not least given his father’s record, and slipped in and out of depression his remaining life, being posthumously diagnosed as manic, spent most of his life on estates in Ireland, away from York. Politically remained moderate and aloof of Parliamentary matters, despite his natural conservatism, the reformist and liberal Patriots controlled Parliament during his reign. Imperially, the Empire moved away from America into Asia and East Africa – the Raj of Delhi was broken and partitioned between Gujarat and the ITC, which was annexed to the crown after the Company’s liquidation in 1869; after the collapse of the Mombasa Sultanate, British rule was established in the ports to secure safety of trade, later expanding inland as settlement increased. John I is largely overshadowed by his contemporaries, his successor and predecessor, as well as the Patriot Stewards that governed during his reign.
1875-1900: David IX “the People’s Prince”
Born 1843. The Empire’s leading bon viveur, contrary to his father, leading high society with his wife, Princess Isabella of Egypt. Briefly tried to engage in a military career, but his girth meant his commission in the Régiment de Dragons de la Loire became untenable after he could no longer sit a horse properly. As heir was known for his extensive foreign tours that continued during his reign, becoming the first reigning monarch to visit Outremer since David II, and popularised Nile River cruises as an ideal holiday of European aristocracy, making the Orient fashionable and bringing it to European attention after centuries of ambivalence since the Crusades. Saw another change in political alignment appointing the first non-Patriot Steward since 1831, Sir George Dampier (1817-91) as a Unionist – a new Party largely of Dampier’s creation under his new ideology Nationism: a complex ideology with multiple interpretations. Dampier’s interpretation, as advocated for by the Unionist Party, was both conservative and radical, a direct response to the rise of Socialism and Nationalism of the 19th century. In Class terms it maintained a strict social hierarchy but also a unique solidarity between land owning aristocrats and the working class. In national terms, Nationism interpreted that the British Empire was a unique union of separate nations, denoted by their different languages, but all sharing common values, heritage and a monarch that made them uniquely “British”, despite their being English, Scots, Occitanic, Irish, Breton or colonial. David IX’s public and personal touch made him popular with all his subjects and a leading asset for the work of Dampier in enshrining Nationist principles in the Empire. Encouraged strict neutrality in the German Unification Wars (1870-88). Was a global leader for men’s fashion, popularising the drinking of whisky over wine, and, as a chain-smoker, New Irish cigars, leading to explosion of tobacco sales, which became the leading product of American agriculture at the expense of livestock, sugar, and cotton. His eccentric lifestyle took its toll, and after a series of heart attacks died aged 57.
1900-1948: John II “Farmer John”
Born 1871. Much quieter and reserved than his father, who’s death interrupted the Prince’s middling career as a naval officer. His early reign saw the rise in tensions between the Great Powers and the order established by the Congress of Prague. Start of the Global Crisis (1910-40), a series of intermittent global conflicts that were not isolated events nor one big conflagration, causing in turn a series of calamities including collapses in Global Markets and repeated recessions, revolutions and rise in ethnic conflicts in Asia, Europe and Africa, an influenza pandemic and repeated refugee crises. John II encouraged his governments to remain aloof from continental concerns, but soon changed course and encouraged actions against the Scandinavian Empire, New Byzantium and the Cabotian Republic. Amidst global tensions and ones within the Empire, took the lead in reforming the monarchy for a populist age, seeking to make the monarchy more self-sufficient, converting much of his royal estates into farms, which soon became part of a propaganda campaign by the government to ensure food security for the Empire. Welcomed news reels to capture regular footage of the King at home and about his public duties, and conducting annual public broadcasts on Christmas Day, New Years Eve, Easter Sunday, and St George’s Day. Was happy to see the creation of the Great Alliances in 1940, hoping that the creation of three global spheres would make continued global conflict untenable as it would mean a global war. Applied the British signature to the Treaty of Barcelona, creating the Great Covenant (the British Empire, Republic of Aragon, Kingdom of France, United Kingdom of Greater Germany, Republic of Provence, Kingdom of Egypt, and the Sultanate of Gujarat) which opposed the Holy League (Kingdom of Italy, New Byzantine Empire, Scandinavian Empire, Greater Hungarian Republic, Kingdom of Livonia, and the Yuan Empire) and the Pacific Pact (Cabotian Republic, Korean Empire, Sanaa Sultanate, Kingdom of Anatolia, the Pegu Empire and Persia). Grew disillusioned and withdrew from the public eye after the outbreak of the Great War (1943-50). Died 77 at the Palace of St Jude having mostly retired from the public eye.
1948-1952: Charles I
Born 1903. Better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”, a name he earned having acted as something of a playboy in the 20’s, his Highland estate also being the place to be among society throughout the 30’s. Briefly served as a member of the nascent Imperial Flying Regiment but never took a military career seriously. During this time, he was thought of Europe’s most sought-after bachelor and had several eligible matches that either went nowhere or drifted into the territory of minor scandal. Resented growing tensions in world politics of the early 40’s, and the pressures it brought on his social life, and during the War as many of his Father’s duties fell to him his conduct of them grew poorer – his relationship with the Steward during the War, Lawrence A. Vincent (1898-1963), was notoriously fractious to the point that the ultra-royalist Steward threatened to strike him from the civil list for the duration of the war if the King did not comply with rationing and curtail the number of parties that continued at the Palace of Saint David, even during the Åskväder air raids on York. After 1945, the Regent never made another major appearance until the end of the War, when he was forced to welcome Vincent on to the Balcony during the Victory Parade. His basis of national support had collapsed after the War, with even members of his own family commenting he had become a liability to his own Institution. Ultimately leading to the Abdication Crisis after his attempts to dismiss the new government of the Commonweal Party led by Reuben Kane (1909-74). After abdicating the Throne, King Charles attempted to return to his former life, but few were prepared to attend his parties anymore, later moving to Vinland in informal exile, before dying in 1966.
1952-1968: Adelaide II “Good Queen Ada”
Born 1898. Early in life was known for being part of her brother’s inner circle during the 20’s but set that aside after her marriage to Sir Nicholas H. Douglas (1899-1975), before disappearing from the public eye as her husband pursued his Naval career. Though her reign is not a popular period of history, Queen Adelaide herself remains well thought of in the nation’s collective memory. Her austere personality suited the post-war life and mentality of her subjects, notably her love of greyhound racing, which soon overtook the traditional horse racing in public popularity. Oversaw a time of crisis of the monarchy, first the Abdication, then the Dominion of Utopia’s referendum on a Republic (1955), followed by the decolonisation in Bengal and East Africa. Laid ground on a permanent royal residence in North America, Chamberlain House near Charlottesville, Gloriana. The twilight years of her reign were marked by infighting within the Royal Household after appointing the first female Steward and noted Socialist, Harriet Collins (1898-1978). Collins had dismissed the now Grand Admiral Douglas as head of the Admiralty, which had driven the Grand Admiral into the arms of various reactionary movements against her new government. Queen Adelaide sided with her government and ordered her Consort to remain at Chamberlain House – they were never reconciled. She died at the Palace of St David aged 70 after complications with pneumonia.
HOUSE OF DOUGLAS-CALVET
1968-2016: David X
Born 1934, died age 82. When David X was crowned, he was seen as the Bright Young Thing, a serving Navy fighter pilot with combat experience after the Red Sea Showdown, known in the press for the silhouette of his feather trilby and navy trench coat, to his appearance at the end of his reign as the Grand Old Man of the Kingdoms, smiling and winking knowingly to the cameras as he sparked up a cigarette in places the law of the land no longer allowed. Predictably, David X was rudely placed at the centre of the Reactionary plotting that had overshadowed his mother’s final years – there was serious worry within the government that the King might intervene on the side of the Reactionaries, not least many of his friends and brother naval officers viewed Grand Admiral Douglas as close to a deity given his status in the Service. However, David X was young and energetic, and viewed the Reactionaries as repugnantly stale and static, and though no fan of the Steward’s policies backed her, even going so far as to force a reconciliation with his father when he added his name to the Dynasty’s, which promptly brought the Grand Admiral back into the fold, who retired to his ancestral Scottish home to write his military memoirs. Though never made public until years later, Collins’ government’s morale had collapsed, and she was eventually forced to concede the Stewardship to the Unionist Jean-Luc, Comte de La Barre (1917-1991), the last member of the House of Lords to hold the Stewardship and first from the Americas. The King meanwhile thrust himself into his duties, rapidly he became the most widely travelled monarch in history – the first to visit the Cabotian Republic in 1975, followed by a tour of the Orient and Africa that included former colonies like the Bengali Commonwealth, Sumatran Republic, and the State of Somalia. David X managed to find the safe ground for a monarch, charming and fun and popular like his uncle, but always a servant of duty like his mother and grandfather. Though despite the King’s personal successes, the later half of the 20th Century was marred by deep trouble for his fief: England, Normandy and Ireland suffered deep industrial unrest as the world grew further away from the era of factories, labour, and industry, while Aquitaine went through serious turmoil as Brittany appeared to be in almost civil war as the Breton People’s Front launched their war against the Crown. The latter struggle hit the King and his family personally during an official visit to Paris and the shooting of his eldest son, Prince Louis and his wife. An attempted bombing of the Palace of St Jude while the King was in residence nearly had the security services force the King into a permanent state of lockdown, but the King refused and took the lead in securing his own succession, becoming the first monarch since William VII to author a piece of legislation when he changed the succession law so that his two-year-old granddaughter, Prince Louis’ only child, might inherit the throne on his death. Despite all, David X saw his kingdoms enter the 21st Century, the crises passing – but he was growing old, a trait he made a virtue having taken the lesson from his father. Rather than become the nations’ pastor, he became its genial grandfather, though the old jokes had now gone out of fashion, they still garnered a quick laugh after a collective national eyeroll, and the notorious chain-smoker made a point never to comply with the relevant legislation in public. Still his diagnosis of lung cancer in 2013 came as a deep shock when it was announced, though the King braved through, never relenting his official duties, now it seems to the detriment of his own treatment. King David X passed away at 85, exactly 950 years after the crowning of William the Conqueror.
2019-Present: Adelaide III
Born in 1988, Queen Adelaide III grew up in the Shadow of her Father and Mother’s death by BPF gunmen. Owing to the most determined efforts of her grandfather, the then-Princess Adelaide was sparred having to grow up with the worst the global press could put this burden on her, and she grew up as just another member of her the family with her Uncle Richard, Duke of Connaught, at his house on the Isle of Anglesey and her cousins of the same age. Adelaide only entered the public eye when she enrolled at Cardinal College, Durham, to study History and Languages, the second a necessity given Adelaide’s second language growing up was Welsh rather than the traditional Occitan of all her predecessors. This then allowed her to study a Master’s in Archaeology at Caen University, the conclusion of which was a brief tenure at Ptolemaic digs in Egypt after which she was return Home to take up Royal duties for the first time. Officially announced to the world in 2012, Princess Adelaide accepted the Presidency of the Irish Historical Society, then its Aquitaine and Scottish counterparts, with much of her time spent devoted to similar charities and institutions as well as in education at the lower level, making repeated and notable appearances at lower-level learning institutes even since coming to the Throne. The image of the “Boffin Queen” has exactly thrilled the imagination of the world’s press, and that may be the way that she likes, having spoking on the virtues of monarchy as an institution, and given the unstable nature of the world in recent years, a reminder of the virtue might be what her people are asking for…
