Joseph I, Holy Orenian Emperor
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Joseph Leopold Marna, known regally as Joseph I (12 Malin's Welcome 1668 – 1728) was born the eldest and only son of John Marna and Margarita de Falstaff, later crowned Holy Orenian Emperor by High Pontiff Everard V nearly 80 years after its dissolution. He is a scion of the Marnantine dynasty and claimed the imperial throne through his Leopoldine heritage, sparking the War of Two Emperors in which he was known as the alter-imperator (other Emperor), though failing to win in his rebellion and furthermore losing all of his support and legitimacy.
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Early life
Joseph Leopold Marna was born to John Horen-Marna and his wife, Margarita de Falstaff, in 1668 within his family's exile in Shafei, Khalestine, followed by his younger sister Ernesta in 1670. His family, now improvised in the court of Emir Abbas al-Hrun, served as ambassadors and military advisers in the southern courts. Once in his teens, he would return to the mainland under the moniker Joey the Fiddler in service to his further father-in-law, Commodus Jrent. Sometime in 1695, he would elope with Commodus' daughter Annunziata from Senntisten and remain for three years in exile. However, after a tryst with a local knight's daughter, his newly-wed bride returned to the mainland, and after a year, so did Joseph.
They would leave back to Shafei, where they would live in relative comfort. Joseph maintained contacts with compatriots including his cousins Conrad de Falstaff and Arthur de Falstaff and brother-in-law Richard de Marna. In 1710, after a meeting between himself, his cousin James de Marna, and his brother-in-law Otho Helvets, they would sail off on the Rose of Eleanora and conspire to convince Conrad for his support in making Joseph, emperor.
Struggle for the Throne
The Nenzing Conspiracy
Spurred on by the recent sacking of Ves and orchestrated by Emperor at the time, Antonius I, in conjunction with the Kingdom of Haense. Dissent was spread amongst the vassals of the Imperium and a secret meeting in the far north of Arcas commenced within the seat of the House of Stafyr. Many leaders from across the realm were present in the conspiracy, including the Rex of Krugmar, Prince of Ves and King of Haense. The signatories agreed to group together to reform the Holy Orenian Empire and rebel against the Renatian governance, installing Joseph as Holy Orenian Emperor.
The initial signatories of the pact included:
- Kingdom of Haense
- Golden City of Ves
- Princedom of Fenn
- County of Leuven
Later on the Kingdom of Curonia signed on to the pact and the Reiver mercenaries were contracted for a large sum of mina by Joseph
The War of Two Emperors
Joseph was crowned as the Holy Orenian Emperor in the Hanseti capital of Reza, prompting the official start of the War of Two Emperors in which Joseph vied for the title of Emperor against Godfrey III. The Holy Orenian Empire initially held effective control of half of the Imperial states and territories east of Nordengrad.
Joseph oversaw a strong start to the war, with his armies claiming victory moments after the initiation during the Battle of Upper Rodenburg - leading many to speculate that the war would be decisive and that Joseph’s campaign would be an assured victory.
However, the tide quickly turned as the Orenians succumbed to a long string of demoralizing losses in the field, such as the Battle of Lower Rodenbourg and Battle of Helena Fields. The war remained logistically advanced, however, managing to launch a siege on Helena headed by Joseph and his various field marshals which resulted in a shock defeat despite the huge numerical advantage possessed by Josephs rebellion.
Following the Siege of Helena, Godfrey III took the opportunity to retake the initiative of the war and sent many incursions into the Orenian territories, resulting in more losses such as the Battle of the Rivers.
Dissolution of Oren
Due to the immense pressure from Godfrey III and his forces, the Kingdom of Haense would subsequently denounce Joseph and his failings of holding his Empire and attempted to pull out of the war. Soon the Golden City of Ves made separate peace terms with the Empire of Renatus, pulling out of the war. Though for the Kingdom of Haense, Renatus would have different plans for them.
This marked the dissolution of Oren and Joseph’s failure in the war, being unable to hold the title of Emperor for himself.
Issue
Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | |
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Joseph-Henry, Prince of Bastion | 16 Grand Harvest 1700 | Alive | Unwed | Firstborn child and son of Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna, the Prince of Bastion. |
Francesca Pietia of Marna | 8 Deep Cold 1702 | 10th of Sun's Smile, 1722 | Unwed | Firstborn daughter of Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna, the Princess Imperial. Later committed suicide. |
Catherine Frederique of Marna | 29 Amber Cold 1704 | 10th of Grand Harvest 1735 | Unwed | Secondborn daughter of Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna. A sister of the Church of Canon. |
Margarita Eleanora of Marna | 15 Sun's Smile 1706 | Alive | John-Henry of Pruvia | Thirdborn daughter to Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna, the 2nd Baroness of Rafal. |
Josephine Philippa, Baroness of Rafal | 12 Horen's Welcome 1708 | 13 Horen's Welcome, 1742 | Unwed | Fourthborn daughter to Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna, the Baroness of Rafal. |
Victoria Augusta of Marna | 2 Sun's Smile 1710 | Alive | Tristan, Prince of Ostwick | Fifthborn daughter of Joseph I and Annunziata of Marna. |
Ancestors
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