Elizabeth, Princess Imperial

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Elizabeth of Oren The Princess Imperial, c. 1780 Princess Imperial Tenure: 14th of Sun’s Smile, 1784 - present Predecessor: Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress 1st Countess of Rosemoor Tenure: 13th of Harren's Folly, 1787 - present Predecessor: Title Created Countess of Susa Tenure: 2nd of Sun's Smile, 1805 - present Predecessor: Selene Sabari Born: 17th Malin's Welcome, 1755 Helena, Holy Orenian Empire Spouse: Iskander Basrid (m. 1786) House: Novellen Father: Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor Mother: Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress

Elizabeth, Princess Imperial (High Imperial: Elisabeth Anna), otherwise monikered as Elizabeth of Helena, was an Imperial Princess as daughter to Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress, and her husband and co-ruler Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor. Upon her Mother and Father’s ascension to the throne in 1784, she inherited the title of ‘Princess Imperial’, formerly her Mother’s own. Additionally, the Princess was afforded her own peerage in 1787 as the Countess of Rosemoor.

She wed the Count of Susa, Iskander Basrid, and their union produced three sons and one daughter.

Biography

Early life

Princess Elizabeth Anne was born within the Imperial capital of Helena upon Saint Julia’s Day, the 17th of Malins Welcome 1755, to the Princess Imperial Anne Augusta and her husband the Duke of Helena, Joseph Sarkozy. At the time, the empire was still under the reign of her grandfather, Peter III. Her birth marked the foundation of the Imperial House of Novellen and as such was a widely celebrated event.

The Princess spent her formative years within the Novellen palace, being afforded a rich education by numerous of the most skilled scholars within Oren. As the firstborn to the Princess Imperial and the Duke of Helena, Elizabeth was often doted on and adored by those at court, being known as the favoured child amongst the Imperial family. Much of her education was under the renowned Archchancellor Simon Basrid, a man who instilled imperial values within her that would dictate the course of her life.

The Debutante, Princess Elizabeth, c. 1771

Elizabeth’s learning was centred around tales of history, as well as fables of Rhenyari mythology - being the core of her education. She had a strong passion for writing in which was echoed in her upbringing, and wrote her first published work at the age of fourteen, titled: “OF PROVIDENCE: A Mentor to the Future”.

“Providence, you see, is the eye of wisdom; the eye of God himself. In Providence we inspire liberty and justice, innovation and progress. You cannot ‘reach’ providence, for it is an idea. It is the guiding light to move us from one place to the next… Providence tells us one thing, among many: to innovate what was set before us.” -OF PROVIDENCE: A Mentor to the Future, 1770

Debut into Society

Upon her sixteenth birthday the Princess was presented in the form of a Debutante ball in her honour, introducing the girl to the wider Imperial society as a woman, no longer a child. Many attended her birthday celebrations, centralised around the core theme of her character and passions: History. Each attendee wore a costume of a ‘figure who shaped the empire’, to which she awarded prizes for her favourite. Elizabeth, particularly, wore a costume fashioned after her own grandfather’s formalwear - Peter III.

“She is my firstborn child. . The first time I ever held her, I felt that she embodied the progress of our Empire, the hopes we as Humanity shared as the Troubles fell into twilight. Late into every night, I would stay awake by her little crib, and make sure she was still safe and slumbering. My most treasured moments, as a mother, was to hold her in my arms as she fell asleep. Elizabeth Anne was always quiet- always gentle, and she has always been kind. To watch her grow into the young lady she is now has been a blessing, and I know she will continue to do great things- wonderful things, and I could not be more proud of her.” -Anne Augusta’s speech at Elizabeth Anne’s Debutante Ball, 1772

The event signified the Princess' entry into the potential market for marriage, and as such attracted eligible suitors to vie for her hand. She paid notable attention to the son and heir of the Count of Pompourelia, Peter Amadeus - the teenage Elizabeth becoming undoubtedly smitten with him. However, Peter was murdered at the hands of Sutican officials only months after her debutante ball - before any formal arrangements of courtship had been established. The princess is alleged to have been distraught after learning of his disappearance, sobbing for hours within the arms of her lady and close confidant, the Baroness of Carrington.

This is recounted within a diary entry of Elizabeth's, dated in mid 1771 - prior to the discovery of Peter Amadeus' body: "A guard force was sent to Sutica...I pleaded with the soldiers to allow me to go along, for there was nothing I desired more than to contribute in the efforts to find my dearest Peter. Paying no mind to my begging, John (who had been accompanying me) and I were barred from doing so... We waited at Bastille for hours, hoping that perhaps the army would return with him. And yet, they did not. No one seems to tell me anything, they shield me from the news that I desperately need to hear, no matter how painful it may be. Is he alive? Is he dead? The latter seems more likely with every passing day."

When his death was officially announced following the recovery of his body, Elizabeth is said to have cried out in devastation. The prolonged grief she experienced is considered to be one of the sustaining factors as to why the Princess did not wed for nearly another 15 years, despite having been - up until that time - very eager to settle upon a suitor.

Tenure within the Imperial State Army

Shortly before her seventeenth birthday, Princess Elizabeth expressed her intent to join the Imperial State Army, particularly that of the Medical Corps. With no prior Orenian princess having enlisted in the Army, her parents expressed considerable doubt - particularly that of her Father Joseph II, who held strong reservations against the girl's participation in the military, particularly within combat. After encouragement and discussion from the Archchancellor in 1772, Elizabeth's parents agreed to allow her to enlist.

She began her formal induction as a cadet shortly after, and received comprehensive medical training under the Viscount of Pruvia-Provins, John Michael. Her first years in the Army are considered to have been an incredibly happy time for the Princess, who dedicated much of her time and efforts into furthering the ISA Medical Corps. Elizabeth and John Pruvia worked very closely together, and the pair began to develop a relationship that many believed to be the beginning of a courtship. However, this proved disastrous, and only further swayed the princess away from the potential of marriage.

Shortly after turning nineteen, Elizabeth graduated from the ISA Combat Academy, moving to the Officer rank of Ensign. It was there that she served the Medical Corps for a period of fifteen years (1772-1787). She served dutifully through numerous battles - including the initial wave of attacks from the Inferi forces of the Korvassa. Alongside her practical combat contributions, the Princess also wrote a comprehensive manual of medical protocols for the Corps, establishing the medical standards of the ISA to which still exist to this day.

Elizabeth retired from active combat service following an Inferi attack upon Helena in 1785 - to which she sustained significant injuries. On the advice of her Mother, she moved to administrative and off-field medical work, until she finally retired from the ISA all-together with the birth of her first child, Jasper Clement, in 1787.

Marriage

Following the tragic death of Peter Amadeus and a brief and ultimately disastrous courtship with Ensign John Pruvia, Elizabeth petitioned her Father for the ability to remain unwed. Citing her wishes to serve the Empire - and the Empire only, she argued that marriage was a distraction from her service to state. The Duke of Helena did honour her request in allowing the princess to remain unwed, however encouraged Elizabeth to carefully consider her decision over the coming years.

It was ultimately on the advice of her childhood mentor Simon Basrid in which the Princess again considered marriage in early 1780. Basrid promptly urged her toward her childhood companion and State Army comrade Iskander Basrid, being his own grand-nephew and the heir to the County of Susa. After an extended courtship, given Elizabeth's reluctance to wed, Elizabeth eventually agreed to the marriage in 1784. A formal petition was placed before Emperor Peter III, the Duke of Helena, and the Princess Imperial in 1785. This was accepted, on the terms of a morganatic marriage - meaning that Elizabeth's children would not hold a place in the Imperial line of succession.

The pair wed in 1786, siring four children - Jasper Clement, Anthony Alexios, Helena Augusta and Nicholas Andreas.

The Princess Imperial and her only Daughter, Helena Augusta, 1793.

As Princess Imperial

The Princess remained devoutly engaged with the Imperial court following her Mother and Father's ascension on the 14th of Sun’s Smile, 1784. She inherited her Mother's previous title of 'Princess Imperial', as well as being granted the additional honour of Imperial Peerage as the Countess of Rosemoor.

Elizabeth served as Majordomo of the palace during this period, as well as launching the Imperial State University. TBA

Titles, Styles, and Honors

Titles and Styles

• 1755-1784 Her Imperial Highness, Princess Elizabeth of Helena

• 1784-1786 Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Imperial

• 1787-1805 Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Imperial, 1st Countess of Rosemoor

• 1805-present Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Imperial, 1st Countess of Rosemoor, Countess of Susa

Armorial Bearings

Impaled arms of Elizabeth, Princess Imperial: Purpure three lions passant guardant Or overall a label of three points Argent impaling quarterly, first and fourth sable, on a cross potent or a eye gules, second and third gules an eagle argent crowned, armed and beaked or, the wings charged with trefoils or. Overall a label of three points argent each charged with a heart gules.

The Princess Imperial's arms were granted and confirmed in 1795 by the Imperial King of Arms, Robert James Hartcold. Elizabeth's personal arms (First and fourth sable, on a cross potent or a eye gules, second and third gules an eagle argent crowned, armed and beaked or, the wings charged with trefoils or. Overall a label of three points argent each charged with a heart gules) were impaled with those of her husband, Iskander Basrid, (Purpure three lions passant guardant Or overall a label of three points Argent) following her marriage to him in 1786.

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage
Jasper Clement Basrid	8th of the Sun's Smile, 1787	Alive	Missing	Firstborn child of Elizabeth and Iskander. Named in the Rhenyari customs by his first name, and after Elizabeth's Father Joseph II for his middle name. Left the Empire for the lands of Ba'as in his early years.
Anthony Alexios Basrid	1st of Godfrey's Triumph, 1788	Alive	Valeria Ruthern	Secondborn child of Elizabeth and Iskander. Named after Elizabeth's Grandfather, Emperor Peter III (Formerly Anthony Helane), as well as taking upon the rhenyari equivalent of his Father Iskander's name. Heir to the County of Susa
Helena Augusta Basrid	12th of Harrens Folly, 1791	Alive	Unwed	Thirdborn child and only daughter of Elizabeth and Iskander. Named after the city of both Elizabeth and Helena's upbringing, as well as after Elizabeth's own Mother - Anne Augusta.
Nicholas Andreas Basrid	2nd of Horen's Welcome, 1792	1744	Unwed	Fourthborn child of Elizabeth and Iskander

Ancestors

Ancestors of Elizabeth, Princess Imperial

16. John I, Duke of Adria               8. Josip I, Duke of Adria                       17. Amelia of Burgundar               4. Adrian I, Duke of Adria                             18. Vladan, Baron of Vilacz               9. Victoria Valic                       19. Adrienne Rovin               2. Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor                                   20. Robert I of Haense               10. Marius II of Haense                       21. Elizaveta of Vidaus               5. Princess Mariya of Haense                             22. Ratibor I, Duke of Adria               11. Valera of Adria                       23. Alexandria of Man               1. Elizabeth of Oren                                         24. Augustus I, Emperor of Man               12. Antonius I, Emperor of Man                       25. Helen of Carolustadt               6. Peter III, Holy Orenian Emperor                             26. Andrew Stephen, Duke of Alban               13. Karenina of Alban                       27. Mariya Sarkozic               3. Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress                                   28. Augustus I, Emperor of Man               14. Romulus, Duke of Cascadia                       29. Helen of Carolustadt               7. Lorena of Augustin                             30. Wilhelm I of Curonia               15. Anabel I of Curonia                       31. Evelyn Falkenrath