Alexander I, King of Courland

Spouse: Philippa Horen House: House Staunton Parents: Richard Staunton, Natalia Barbanov Aleksander I "With Knowledge Comes Power / Scienta Potentia Est” 4th Duke of Courland 1st King of Courland: Reign: 1548-1564 Predecessor: Richard Staunton Successor: Percival II Born: 8th of the Amber Cold, 1523 Staunton Palace, Westmark, Courland

Alexander Staunton, (Aleksander Stauntona in Raevir), known as Aleksander of Courland and Aleksander I, (8th of the Amber Cold, 1523) was the Duke of Courland from 1550 untill the coup of 1564, and briefly the King of Courland from 1562 to 1564 (Not to be confused with his grandfather, King Aleksander I of Oren). He was a decorated Orenian noble, famed with winning the war against the Rurics for the Empire. He served as Lord Admiral of Oren from 1556 up until the formation of the Kingdom of Courland. His most famous words were “Till death’s release.” uttered to men before the Battle of Westmark, the final battle in the Riga War, a Courlandian victory, as part of the Staunton Address.

Contents

1. Early Life
2. Dukehood & Privy Membership
3. The Riga War

Biography

Early Life

Aleksander Tobias Staunton was born to Duke Richard Staunton and Natalia Barbanov, named after his great grandfather, King Aleksander of Oren. He was the eldest of three children, Anden Staunton and Amelia Staunton (Briefly Empress Consort of Oren, married to John Horen). Aleksander was absent from court from an early age, after being sent by his father to be educated in the ways of Dukehood by the surviving courtiers and scholars from the reign of his grandfather, Percival “The Great” Staunton, the first Duke of Courland. Aleksander was disliked by many of his northern cousins, such as Jan Kovechev and Petyr Barbanov for ruling Riga, the capital of the north and one of the most significant, if not the most significant hubs in Valior as a Heartlander in the north. Though the Highlanders of Courland supported and admired him, the Highlanders of Carnatia largely did not. He served as General of the Eagle’s Vigil, later Die Starkee Armee, the official military of House Staunton for the duration of his life. Dukehood & Privy Membership Aleksander ascended to the Ducal throne in 1550, following the suicide of his younger brother, Anden. He was poised with the Vanir issue, the family which the house of Staunton had the longest on going feud with. Anden, in spite, handed the Palaiologos stronghold of Krakens Watch to the House of Vanir, who were no friend to Aleksander. To ease tensions, House Staunton and House Vanir called the first diet of Saltstone, to ensure that peace and stability for the sake of the Empire would mean that this feud could be buried. Aleksander successfully governed the Duchy of Courland, encompassing the County of Curon, Westmark & Saltstone, maintaining a large and well equipped military force for the duration of his reign, forming the backbone of the Orenian military. For his service to the Empire, the Emperor, John Horen, married off his sister to the Duke of Courland, Phillipa Horen. To commemorate the union, the Staunton family had a 30,000 mina flagship, HGS Princess Philippa erected. Together they had four children, Sven Staunton (Later Sven Hearth), Tobias Staunton, Frederick Staunton (Later Hearth) & Elizabeth Staunton (Later Hearth). Aleksander lead the fleet at the battle of Doggers Bay to recapture the Ruric land to place it once more under Imperial Control.

The Riga War

After more than 10 years of peace and stability, war once more broke out in the north. After revoking the Vanir Barony of Krakens Watch following several provocations from Vanir levy men and family members, the Duke decided to make the bold action of recapturing Krakens Watch. Following the storming of the castle, the second Imperial diet of Saltstone was called, where it was decided that the Northern Coalition, comprised of Carnatia, the Vanirs and the Hetmen would be permitted to try to reclaim the castle through war. The Courlandian forces at the initial part of the campaign were led by Ser Ulric von Aesterwald, and suffered defeats at the battle of Curon Forest and then the battle of Krakens Watch. Following turmoil within the Northern Coalition, the Hetmanate joined the side of Courland. This lead to a Courlandian victory at the battle of Westmark against the Coalition and the Empire of Oren, who intervened in favour of the Carnatians, preventing the foreseen Sacking of Riga and allowing the Courlandian forces to lay siege to the recently conquered fort of Kraken’s Watch. However the campaign to retake Krakens Watch was unsuccessful and ultimately lead to the exodus of the proud Courlandian people as Aleksander was deposed by a pretender impersonating his son. Refusing to support the pretender, most Courlandians left the Duchy, meaning that by the end of the war, there were no longer any Courlanders in Courland, leading to its swift dissolution.

The Storming of Krakens Watch - Courlandian Victory The Battle of Curon Forest - Coalition Victory Battle of Krakens Watch - Coalition Victory The Battle of Westmark - Courlandian Victory