Rickard I of Krusev
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Rickard Otto Kortrevich 'The Builder' (Common: Richard Otto Kortrevich), known formally as The Viscount of Krusev, or referred to simply as Rickard. He was the fourth patriarch of House Kortrevich, succeeding his father in 1799. He was the second born son of Margrave Viktor and Marya Kortrevich. He is regarded as a man who emphasized family life over government service.
Contents
Early Life and Young Adulthood
Rickard Otto Kortrevich (1771-1820) was born to Viktor and Marya (Baruch) Kortrevich, alongside four siblings; three brothers, one sister within the Margraviate of Korstadt; their familial home. As the second-born, inheritance of House Kortrevich fell to his eldest brother, Karl, until he became a member of the clergy, which relinquished his right to inheritance. As a result, Rickard unexpectedly became heir-apparent to House Kortrevich. Rickard grew up during a time of great strife for the Kingdom, as the daunting Scylfing Invasion was still ongoing. While being raised on the outskirts of Haense at Korstadt, Rickard enjoyed fly fishing, clamming and boating within the Rubern River and Lake Milena. Much like his father’s upbringing, he was rather isolated from his father. During both his adolescence and into his young adulthood, Rickard lacked direction in life. He took no interest in his mother and father’s endeavors and the mere inkling of military enlistment turned him away elsewhere. In his late teens, he was betrothed to Erika Vanir, the daughter of Margrave Branimar Vanir. The pair would wed in 1792 at age twenty-one and eighteen respectively.
Marriage
Rickard Kortrevich was married to Erika Lorena Vanir in the Margraviate of Vasiland, officiated by a local Haeseni priest. This marriage strengthened the bond between the houses of Vanir and Kortrevich. Unlike most marriages backed by political means, their marriage was joyous and filled with admiration for each other. The pair would go on to have five children, three daughters and two sons. They would remain together till Rickard’s death in 1820.
Viscount of Krusev
As the second-eldest son, Rickard’s inheritance of his house was left to his brother, Karl. That was until his brother joined the clergy and relinquished his right to inheritance. At twenty-eight, Rickard succeeded his father as the fourth patriarch of House Kortrevich. Through his early twenties, Rickard often struggled to find direction in his life. These struggles continued through much of his reign as patriarch. Following the Kingdom’s arrival to Almaris, the Royal City of Karosgrad was constructed. As a result of his father’s careless expenditure towards the city, the House was left nearly bankrupt. After succeeding after his father’s successful reign, an overwhelming amount of pressure loomed over Rickard to follow in his father’s footsteps.
During the first few months of Rickard’s reign, houses like Barclay, Ruthern and Amador were on the rise whereas House Kortrevich lost favor within the Kingdom. Because of their depleted wealth and lackluster contributions, the Margraviate title of Korstadt was returned to the Crown. As a result of this, Rickard was determined to restore his house’s wealth and standing within the Kingdom. In 1799, the Crown endowed Kortrevich the construction of a keep just south of Karosgrad on fifty acres of land.
Within just two years, the keep of Krusevgrad was constructed; the plans being drawn by Viscountess Erika Vanir. Months later, Rickard commissioned the surrounding lands to be utilized as fertile farmland. In the first harvest season, the Viscounty of Krusev became the Kingdom’s agricultural sector. Within only five years, Rickard restored his house’s wealth and began to cement his house in Haeseni society once again. Unfortunately, Rickard’s early successes didn’t follow through the rest of his reign, as he placed a strong emphasis on family life over government service, which sacrificed his house’s growth.
During the Battle of Krusev, Rickard fought in the defense of his home. As a result of him fighting in the vanguard, he sustained vast injuries; notably a wound to his head that placed him into a coma. From 1812 to 1814, Rickard was incapacitated and his house was led under the regency of his wife, Erika Vanir. Unexpectedly, Rickard I of Krusev woke up from his coma and abdicated to his son, Jan in 1814.
Later Life and Death
After Rickard woke up from his coma, his life was completely altered as his coma caused much of his day-to-day life to become taxing. A few years later, Rickard passed away in his sleep at the age of forty-nine. Although it is rumored that Rickard consumed a strong sedative to end his life early.
Titles, Styles and Honors
Titles and Styles
- 1799-1814: The Honorable, Viscount of Krusev
- 1799-1814: His Lordship, Baron of Koravia
Formal Title The formal title of Rickard is: Lord Rickard Kortrevich, Viscount of Krusev, Baron of Koravia.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan I, Count of Jerovitz | 1798 | 1844 | Tatiana of Vidaus | First-born son of Rickard I and Erika Vanir. Successor of Rickard I |
| Amelya of Kortrevich | 1799 | 1889 | Azrael de Astrea | First-born daughter of Rickard I and Erika Vanir. |
| Lothar of Kortrevich | 1800 | 1854 | Juliya of Otistadt | Second-born son of Rickard I and Erika Vanir. |
| Therasia of Kortrevich | 1801 | 1847 | Unwed | Second-born daughter of Rickard I and Erika Vanir. |
| Emma of Kortrevich | 1818 | 1892 | Sigismund III of Haense | Third-born daughter of Rickard I and Erika Vanir.
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