Adrian I of Kaedrin
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Adrian Helvets I of Kaedrin, born Helton Hadrian Helvets, ( 16th of Grand Harvest, 1697) was the first King of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin. He was the second son of Count Othodoric Aurelius (1672-1743) and Countess Ernesta née Marna (1670-1723) Helvets. As a second son, he was sent from his Aeldinic homeland to ward under Count Conrad-Baldwin Ashford de Falstaff (1680-1725) in 1711 as a measure of alliance. Within the Count’s demesne, he constructed and managed the Helbruke, the Inn at the Crossing, within the County of Leuven. In the subsequent War of Two Emperors, he fought on behalf of his uncle, Holy Orenian Emperor Joseph I of Marna (1668-1728), gaining knightly spurs for his service. After the war’s conclusion, in which Leuven was ceded to a nominally neutral state, Helton immigrated to Ves with a great tow of Kaedreni followers.
In the meantime, Ide would appoint Helton Hadrian Helvets the Prince-Procurator of the Republic of Ves, by virtue of a special edict that created that particular office. This time was punctuated by increased discontent, with civil unrest steadily increasing since the demise of the past ruler of the Republic, Alfred Myre. The chaos reached its zenith when Urrigon Drumm, a dwarven silversmith, undertook an attempt to seize control of government. Prince Ide fled the city in an attempt to protect himself, however, the newly appointed Prince-Procurator, Helton Helvets, remained within the city, putting down the riots and seizing control of the government for himself. In these efforts, he was supported by Richard de Reden (1695), a fearsome condotierro of Kaedreni descent, who had recently switched his employ from the King of Curon to that of the Prince-Procurator. Along with him came the Caer Bann Company, an institution of hoary Kaedreni mercenaries, who pushed Helton to consolidate his hold on the Republic and establish the Duchy of Cathalon as a dynastic institution for his family.
Soon after Haraccus’ departure, the captaincy of Ves was declared to be in a state of vacancy, which enabled Helton to seize the title of Prince of Ves in proper, by virtue of election. The ascension of Emperor Alexander II in 1726 would vindicate his efforts years earlier to support his maternal uncle in rebellion against the Pertinaxi. The absence of all claimants to Ves allowed the Rhoswenii to elect Hadrian their king. In a great ceremony within Varoche Palace, the electors tossed their swords at his feet, proclaiming him King Adrian I of Kaedrin, the election being confirmed by the Emperor.
Adrian’s election ushered in the creation of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin, a constitutional system of government which would serve as a model for later replication by Imperial reformers. Adrian was wed to Annabelle Lorin Castor (1698-1736) in 1728. Together they had eight children: Thomas Tancred (1728), Peter Owyn (1728), Arianne Renee (1729), Leopold Guy (1731), Robert Castor (1732), Margaret Antonia (1733), Henry Frederick (1734), and Richard Victor (1735).
In 1732, the King oversaw the reclamation of Guise, land which had been surrendered a decade prior by the Republic of Ves to secure peace in the War of Two Emperors. This was greeted by great fanfare among the people, and numerous baronies were established around the region. Becoming widowed in the War of Orcish Aggression, the King began a campaign of vengeance against the greenskins, culminating in the heavy bombardment and devastation of their lands in 1737. Soon after, when he had fallen ill, Adrian chaired a constitutional convention in which the royal prerogative of the Kingdom was transferred to the Governor-General Richard de Reden, who served loyally during his tenure in office.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Thomas Tancred Helvets | 1728 | 1755 | Bona Dea | Firstborn son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Prince Peter Owyn Helvets | 1728 | 1757 | Unwed | Secondborn son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Princess Arianne Reneé of Kaedrin | 1729 | 1768 | Unwed | Firstborn daughter of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Prince Leopold Guy, Duke of Cathalon | 1731 | 1758 | Charlotte Cecile d’Arkent | Thirdborn son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Prince Robert Castor Helvets | 1732 | 1790 | Letizia Marie Ashford de Aryn | Fourth son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Prince Henry Frederick Helvets | 1734 | 1800 | Blanche Therese FitzPeter | Fifth son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Princess Margaret Antonia of Kaedrin | 1736 | 1797 | Godfric Aldemar Alimar | Secondborn daughter of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
| Prince Richard Victor Helvets | 1736 | 1802 | Lorena Antonia Helane | Sixth son of Adrian I and Annabelle of Castor. |
