Adela of Helena
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||
Julia Adelaide (High Imperial: Iulia Adela) of the House of Alstion was the last daughter, and child, of the Prince John of Alstion, and his consort, Vivienne d'Amaury. She was the younger sister of the infamous Adeline of Alstion, who unofficially seized control of the Empire during wartime in her husband's absence. During her youth, she was made Princess Imperial for but a Saint's Day, before her elder brother's reign was brought to an end.
Contents
Early Years
Julia was born at the Palace of Rubrummagnus in Helena to Prince John of Alstion and his wife, Vivienne of Ardennes. At the time of her birth, her older sister Princess Adeline was three years into her tenure as the Renatian Empress.
The Conclusion of War
As the Princess was in her infancy when the strife of war sobered, its effects began to take its toll upon her family. While her eldest siblings, Princes Charles and Henry, remained in their native land of Aeldin, young Julia was confined in the Palace's depths -- her direct family, alongside the servantry, being those who were privy to her presence. During this time, she made daily visits to the Imperial Chapel and often spoke to the clergymen residing there. She explicitly fancied the doctrines of Canonism, studying them overtly. It is even attested by her maidservants that, upon her sixth nameday, the Alstion purchased an aurum chaplet and would don it everywhere -- habitually referencing religious texts in casual conversation.
Julia only grew closer to her sister during the years leading to her husband's abdication, in which the Dowager-Empress and she would traverse Orenian roads with impish endeavors. In once instance, she and Godfrey II's sister, Princess Lorena, accompanied Adeline to a diplomatic trip to Ves, where they were both acquainted with Pontiff Daniel VI.
Not three years afterward, the newly elevated John VII decreed that the Imperial Monarchy would be hereby dissolved, endangering her family's position in Orenian Court. An aghast John Alexander would depart the Court for Rubern, whilst her mother Vivienne and Dowager-Empress Adeline would depart for Alba, a voyage that would lead to their grisly demise. Julia was only reassured of greatness to come, a notion that bemused her greatly. Nevertheless, it seemed their words bade a semblance of verity, as her brother Charles I would return from Aeldin to ascend to the role of Holy Orenian Emperor, albeit briefly, in 1725.
As Duchess of Alba
Both her brother and Adrian I, Holy Orenian Emperor settled in favor of another contestant to the throne -- her presumed uncle, Alexander II, Holy Orenian Emperor. In the process of her brother being granted patriarchy of the Alstion line, Julia was bestowed the Duchy of Alba, becoming its third regnant Duchess -- succeeding the ilk of her ancestresses, Empress Elizabeth and Princess Amelia of Alstion.
Whilst the grand majority of her immediate relatives were elated to have the Johannian legacy restored once more, the nine-year-old Duchess heavily contested the idea of his matrilineal descent of House Marna, citing Empress Adeline's contempt for their treacherous behavior. Regardless, she was forced to assimilate in favor of her mentor Vespira Helane's teachings.
It was not too long until her frenzied tales were recognized as the bride her grandfather had taken, Cesarina of Marna's, licentious patterns were revealed in Imperial Court, and her pregnancy with Laertes de Falstaff made a public affair. Amidst the tumult, Cesarina was stabbed by the Baroness Selm.
Titles, Styles, and Honors
Titles and Styles
- 1718-1721: Her Imperial Highness, Princess Julia of House Horen
- 1720-1725: Lady Julia of House Alstion
- 1725-1725: Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Imperial
- 1725-1731: Her Highness, Princess Julia of Alstion
- 1725-Present: Her Grace, the Duchess of Alba
Full title as Duchess of Alba
Her Grace, Julia Adelaide of House Alstion, 5th Duchess of Alba
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | Notes |
|---|
