XVII Koengzeu Haenz

[Zanthuz 1836]

Spoiler

 

XVII Koengzeu Haenz
17th Monarch of Haense
Josef ‘The Temperate’
2nd of Gronna and Droba, 359 E.S.

King Josef I of Hanseti-Ruska
Painted by Haeseni artisan, c. 1782

 

@CaptainHaense

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Written by: Viktor Kortrevich
Published by: Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
        I. Name, Birth & Titles
        II. Childhood
        III. Reign, 1776A.H. - 1806A.H. | 329E.S. - 359E.S.
        IV. Notable Achievements
        V. Aulic Council
        VI. Death, 1806A.H. | 359A.H.

                A. Addendum- A Message to the Royal Family

 

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    I.     Name, Birth & Titles

 

Name- (Common: Joseph Sigismund Otto Barbanov-Bihar) 
            (New Marian: Josef Sigmund Otto Barbovic-Bihari) 
            (High Imperial: Josephus Sigimundus Ottonis Barovii-Biharus)

 

Birth- Josef was born on the late evening of the 8th of Vzmey and Hyff, 322 E.S. to father King Sigismund II and mother Queen Viktoria of Metterden, weighing 7lbs 9ozs, donning dark-brown hair and accompanied by blue eyes. In accordance with his birthright, he was entrusted with the birthright responsibility to succeed his father as the seventeenth monarch of Hanseti-Ruska.
 

An infant Josef I, c. 1770

 

Titles- The titles of Joseph I were: His Royal Majesty, Josef I, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Ulgaard, Lahy, Sorbesborg and Slesvik, Duke of Carnatia and Vidaus, Margrave of Korstadt and Rothswald, Count of Chatnik, Nenzing, Graiswald, Karikhov, Baranya, Kvasz, Kavat, Karovia, Kovachgrad, Torun, Turov, Kaunas, Alban, Reza and Markev, Viscount of Grauspin, Baron of Thurant, Rytsburg, Venzia, Esenstadt, Krepost and Kralta, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector of the Highlanders, etcetera.
 

 

    II.     Childhood

 

The young future monarch of Hanese’s childhood was all too similar to the likes of his father Sigismund II(XVI), his grandfather Andrew IV(XV) and his great-grandfather Andrew III(XIV). All of which were marked by an early elevation to that of Kingship which resulted in the stripping of what would presumably be a normal childhood of a royal born Barbanov (XIV: 9 years old, XV: 17 years old, XVI: 5 years old). Despite such hapless events, Josef spent much of his time around his siblings; Nataliya, Stefan, Aleksandr, Juliya and Franz throughout his youth.

 

Later in his childhood as he matured to the young age of nine, his mother Queen Viktoria and Lord Palatine Duke Petyr Baruch arranged a marriage between the Duke of Valwyck’s youngest daughter, Isabel Baruch to King Sigismund’s and Queen Viktoria’s eldest son, Josef Barbanov. The two were inseparable as they both matured from mere adolescents to adults with one another. Their marriage is regarded as one of uncommon success as it was more than just a political marriage seeing the union of the Houses of Barbanov and Baruch; the marriage meant more than that, it began and blossomed as one well founded on the belief of mutual friendship and admiration for one another.

An adolescent Josef I and Palatine Petyr Baruch, c. 1775

 

As mentioned before, Josef’s childhood was taken from him as he entered the beginning years of his rule underneath the Regency of Palatine Konstantin Wick. Despite such unfavorable outcomes for the young Barbanov early on, Josef took respite in knowing he was being advised by a fair and reliable Aulic Council that his father left him. What would come after as he exited out of Regency would be unknown as the weight of such a position maintained its heavy presence from the time he discovered his father’s suicide to he himself took last breath…
 

 

    III.     Reign, 1776A.H. - 1806A.H. | 329E.S. - 359E.S.

 

Scyfling War & Inferi Invasion-
Early into King Josef’s reign as the seventeenth monarch of Haense, he was obliged with amending Haeseni unity following his father’s sudden suicide in protest to the impromptu decision made by Josef’s uncle, Lord Lieutenant Nikolas Barbanov to continue aiding Holy Orenian Emperor Peter III and by extension extending Imperial subgation over the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. At this period of the time in the 1770s, the vast masses of the Haeseni populace widely opposed the notion of fighting alongside Orenians in the undesirable Sutica War. Thankfully enough, High Pontiff James II forced the hand of Emperor Peter III leading him to secede Oren’s involvement in the war altogether resulting in its prompt conclusion.

 

While still under Imperial subjugation, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska continued to face conflict on its shores by Atheran native, Bralt the Boar and his Scyfling invaders. Underneath Josef’s leadership, the quickly ended once and for all. Through tactics not tried or let alone thought of by his father, Josef allowed his people a brief period of recess from war-time until the Inferi Invasion, where yet again under his leadership led his people to safety throughout severe tribulations at every corner moment.

 

Haeseni Independence-
Following the controversial death of King Sigismund II in 1776, it was Josef who continued his father’s pursuit for full Haeseni autonomy. Oftentimes like his father expressing his blatant disdain for the Imperial government for their continued attempts to reduce the very autonomy that Haense has looked to maintain grasp of.

 

Public statements made by the King to his people were commonplace to express his overt antipathy for the Imperials plans to impose taxations on its vassals(Haense), or the conscription of the Haeseni Royal Army into one unified Imperial Army and even the simple hint of the integration of Haeseni medics underneath Imperial jurisdiction were among the many acts by the Imperial government he publicly made known his disliking for.

New Reza, Haense
‘Freedom’s Return’ illustrated by Juliyus Kortrevich

 

Nevertheless, King Josef I lived by the Haeseni proverb; “I would have perished had I not persisted” as he persisted forward despite unfavorable odds at times until a final meeting between the Royal Government of Hanseti-Ruska and the Imperial Government of Oren was held, which ultimately decided at long last that the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska would be granted Independence from the Holy Orenian Empire by Empress Anne I on the 11th of Msitza and Dargund, 339E.S. (later marked as; Haeseni Independence Day by Josef I). Swiftly thereafter, the Kingdom saw strengthened heights of patriotism as parades displaying Haense’s newfound independence carried on for weeks on end. Subsequently, the Kingdom also saw increased levels of immigration as the former Orenian vassal saw independence for the first time in over hundred years.

 

Law Codex-
Just a year succeeding the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s newfound independence, King Josef saw reason to begin immediate work in implementing a new legal codex and law system for the Kingdom to follow. Aulic advisors the likes of; Sir Wilhelm Vyronov, Sir Konstantin Wick and Sir Lauritz Christiansen aided in the implementation of such desired propositions. The Haeseni law codex dubbed the Book of Honor (New Marian: Haurul Caezk) was signed into law on the 22nd of Wzuvar and Byvca of 340E.S., after being loosely inspired by the former Haeseni law codex dubbed The Laws, Rights, and Decrees of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska (New Marian: Lawonzkya Ag Dekretz Vor Kongzem Edaeleo Ag Kusoraev) which was penned by King Andrew III and High Justiciars Ser Gerard Stafyr and Lord Konstantin Ruthern.

Krawn v. Kovachev, c. 1803
Jovenaar Gynsburg (left), Jovenaar Rakoczy (middle) , Jovenaar Baruch (right)

 

Aulic Edict- 
In accordance with the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s arrival into a new era of change and growth and with the separation from the Holy Orenian Empire, King Josef saw cause to adapt the Aulic Government to better meet the needs of the Haeseni people from a new perspective as an autonomous government. In pursuit of such endeavor, the Aulic Edict of 341 E.S. was signed into law which further amended the ‘Jura i Zem of the Haurul Caezk to greatly expand the Aulic Offices of the Palatine, the Lord Speaker, High Seneschal, the Royal Treasurer, the High Justiciar, the Royal Curator and the Aulic Envoy.’

 

*Excerpted from Aulic Edict of 341 E.S. publication

    > The Office of the Lord Palatine saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the reintroduction of the Deputy Palatine position and the addition of the Palatinal Kommissar position.
    > The Office of the Lord Speaker saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the reprisal of the Lord Handler position and the reintroduction of Duma Clerks.
    > The Office of the High Seneschal saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the introduction of roles such as Kastellan Steward, Kastellan of Settlement and City Guide.
    > The Office of the Royal Treasurer saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the introduction of roles such as Kastellan of Agriculture and Auditor.
    > The Office of the High Justiciar saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the introduction of roles such as Royal Jurists and Royal Detectives.
    > The Office of the Royal Curator saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the introduction of roles such as Assistant Curator, Academy Professor, Kastellan Scribe and Scribe. 
    > The Office of the Aulic Envoy saw an outlined set of responsibilities and authorities along with the introduction of the role of Aulic Ambassador.

 

Through Josef’s efforts with reforming the Aulic Government to have a more in-depth perspective on the life of every Haeseni citizen, the Kingdom’s population increased twice fold leading to the rural expansion outside the city walls of New Reza.

 

Canons of Conduct-
Leading into the early 1790s, with the establishment of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s Aulic Court, King Josef personally called upon Jovenaars Sigmar Baruch and Reza Gynsburg ‘to ensure the infallibility and the Judicial impartiality of the courts of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’ through the Canons of Conduct Edict, 343 E.S. Unlike Kings of yore, Josef saw there to be a desired necessity to bind all who take the role of Jovenaar to a sworn obligation to prevent any and all who seek to discredit the sacred oath that Haeseni faithful have to our Canonist church.

 

Josefian Reforms-
In concert with the aforementioned Canons of Conduct Edict of 343 E.S; King Josef worked tirelessly with Lord Speaker Osvald Barclay along with additional Aulic councillors to reform the Duma to be equally seated by alternated noble lords and elected officials. Such reforms were dubbed; the Josefian Reforms to the Royal Duma (New Marian: Wycaz Va Ve Duma I Koeng Josef). The reason for such change was his desired emphasis on moving away from the Royal Duma’s emphasis on being primarily composed of nobility and move towards an emphasis that adapts to the current state of Hanseti-Ruska as an autonomous Highlandic state.

 

*Excerpted from the Josefian Reforms of 343 E.S. publication

    Article I: Composition
      1.1: The Royal Duma shall be composed of five Haeseni Peers at each session, as prescribed by the terms of Article II;
      1.2: The Royal Duma shall be further composed of five elected officers at each session, as prescribed by the terms of Article III;
      1.3: The Royal Duma shall be further composed of the Speaker of the Duma, as prescribed by the terms of Article IV;
      1.4: The Royal Duma shall be further composed of the Lord Palatine or Lady Palatine, as prescribed by the  terms of Article V.

 

Through Josef’s efforts with reforming the Royal Duma, as a result the Royal Duma of Hanseti-Ruska transcended to become far more efficient than iterations of prior administrations(XVI: ~75% , XV: ~60% efficiency , XIV: ~55% efficiency).

 

Migration to Almaris & the Establishment of Karosgrad-
Following the destruction of New Reza by meteor shower, the Haeseni populace along with the rest of the inhabitants of the Arcasian continent were forced to vacate and settle elsewhere. Like King Robert did when he led the Haeseni populace to Arcas from Atlas, King Josef led the Haeseni populace to Almaris from Arcas.

 

Prior to the arrival on the continent of Almaris, Josef led the effort in migrating his people to the Daepirician Archipelago where they settled for several months before continuing their travels to their new homeland of Almaris.

 

On the 6th of Vzmey and Hyff, 349 E.S; the Haeseni arrived on the newfound continent of Almaris. Within a few short years, King Josef called forth the construction of the Royal Red City of Karosgrad, dubbing it the ‘City of Crows’. Since its establishment, ‘the capital city of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska; Karosgrad has acted as the epicenter of administrative and diplomatic affairs of the kingdom, being primarily populated by Northerners and Highlanders of all descent. The city is the seat of the House of Barbanov, who reside in the palace of Nikirala Prikaz in the easternmost district of the city.’

Karosgrad, Haense, c. 1796
“City of Crows”

 

Iron Accord-
As the first King of Hanseti-Ruska in well over hundred years to rule an independent Hanseti-Ruskan Kingdom, King Josef saw the immediate necessity to garner allies as the Kingdom entered a new era. An alliance dubbed; ‘The Iron Accord’ is an alliance that would leave Kings of yore left without words due to its unfamiliar participants but, nevertheless despite common history not favoring well for either one nation, King Josef along with King Halvar and Grand King Jorvin signed what is now recognized as a momentous pact between their three kingdoms.
 

 

    IV.     Notable Achievements

 

Haeseni Independence, 339E.S.-
Obtained Independence for the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska for the first time in over 100 years.

 

Aulic Edict, 341E.S.-
Adapted the Aulic Government to better meet the needs of the Haeseni people under the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska’s newfound autonomous government.

 

Law Codex, 341E.S.-
Penned into law a new Haeseni law codex for the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska to follow following the separation from Oren.

 

Josefian Reforms, 343E.S.-
Penned into law new reforms to the Royal Duma of Hanseti-Ruska, reshaping its emphases to improve the efficiency of the Royal Duma of Hanseti-Ruska.

 

Iron Accord, 351E.S.-
Signed Non-Aggression, Free Trade, Military Alliance and Military Correspondence Pact with the Kingdom of Norland and the Grand Kingdom of Urugan lasting a period of 20 years.

 

 

V.     Aulic Council

 

Throughout the thirty-year long reign of King Josef I of Hanseti-Ruska, his Aulic Council (which serves as the executive advisory council of the Haeseni monarch) saw the occupation of several noble lords and ladies including; common born men and women on his council.

Nikirala Palace, Karosgrad
An Illustration of an Aulic Council meeting, c. 1797

 

    > The seat of the Lord Palatine was occupied by:  Sir Konstantin Wick (1776-1806)
    > The seat of the Lord Speaker was occupied by:  Sir Osvald Barclay (1776-1793) and Lady Irene Sarkozy (1797-1806)
    > The seat of the Lord Marshal was occupied by:  Sir Erwin Barclay (1776) , Sir Manfred Barclay (1776-1805) and Lord Friedrich Barclay (1806)
    > The seat of the High Justiciar was occupied by:  Sir Wilhelm Vyronov (1776-1786) and Sir Lauritz Christiansen (1786-1806)
    > The seat of the High Seneschal was occupied by:  Sir Edvard Amador (1776) , Lord Mio Mackensen (1776-1800) and Lady Ingrid Barclay (1800-1806)
    > The seat of the Lord Treasurer was occupied by:  Lord Rennard Amador (1776) and Sir Edvard Amador (1776-1806)
    > The seat of the Aulic Envoy was occupied by:  Lord Jericho ben Tertulian (1799-1805) and Lord Andrik Baruch (1806)
 

 

    VI.     Death, 1806A.H. | 359E.S.

 

On the 2nd of Vzmey and Hyff, 358E.S; the Royal Crown of Hanseti-Ruska released the ‘Edict of Regency, 358 E.S.’ outlining the then current health condition of His Majesty, King Josef I. Unfortunately, the day prior to such publication the late King fell victim to a sustained heart attack late into his sleep. It is known that the King was treated by the most skilled medical practitioners but, evidently remained incapitated to fulfill his responsibilities as the Sovereign of Haense. After revelation of such, the Crown in accordance with Josef’s wishes allowed for the incapitated King’s eldest son, Grand Prince of Kusoraev Heinrik to assume the position of Prince-Regent until such a time where the now late King were to evidently pass or recover.

 

On the 5th of Wzuvar and Byvca, 358E.S; just over a year following the publication of the Edict of Regency, 358 E.S., the now late King Josef fell deeper into a slumber that he would sadly never awake from. Soon after the unforgiving passing of the seventeenth Monarch of Haense, the Royal Family planned to hold a funeral for the late king on the 1st of Gronna and Droba of 359E.S. to commemorate the life of the storied man, husband to one, father of three and King to many...

 

 

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A Message to the Royal Family

Sir Viktor Kortrevich
Painted by Haeseni artisan, c. 1796

 

To my niece Isabel and the Royal family,

 

I hope this missive and study reaches all of you in good health and faith. As someone who has lost a loved one, most recently my wife Annaliese I can attest to the fact in knowing surrounding yourself with friends and family is about as much as you can do to cope with the insurmountable amount of grief that is bound to overtake you. Even so, I continue to pray for the health and safeguard of the royal family during these times of grief and sorrow, I continue to pray for the health and insurance of our Kingdom and its people as our dual monarchy transitions from one monarch to another, and lastly I continue to pray for a healthy and prosperous reign of King Heinrik II as he is tasked to lead our Kingdom to continued states of peace and prosperity.

 

With that being said, as the Kastellan Scribe of Hanseti-Ruska and Hauchdragus of Hanseti-Ruska, I see there to be an obligation of mine to have formed proper record of our late King’s life, while it pained me deeply that I was to write this study far sooner than I anticipated I did nevertheless take the time to scavenge through the collected works of the late King Josef and compile together a study on his august life; from the day he was born in 1769 to the day he passed in 1806.

 

Be that as it may, in recent years our Kingdom as a whole has been overrun with unforeseen debacles from the meaningless arguments amongst nobility, to the troubling state of affairs within the Canonist church, to most recently the unforgiving death of King Josef I of Haense. Through it all we as Haeseni; highlander and heartlander alike have embraced one another through communion and prayer. Despite such trying efforts to move past these periods of relentless grief we are left questioning our very existence; questions on whether we will live to see another day or be left by bedside to wilter, questions on whether we will maintain peaceful relations with our neighbors or be forced to draft ourselves into an unfavorable war with one another. Regardless of such, we are left to grieve, mourn and question.

 

May King Josef I rest peacefully. Long live King Heinrik II.

 

 

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Signed by,
His Excellency, Sir Viktor Kortrevich, Hauchdragus of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan Scribe of Hanseti-Ruska

[Juli 1340]

Queen Mother Isabel of Valwyck penned a letter of thanks to her uncle, Viktor Kortrevich, after reading the study done on her husband and his legacy to the Kingdom.