Monarchy of Vardana

Great King of Vardana
Royal Badge
Stepan IV
Details
Style	Royal Apostolic Majesty
First monarch	David I
Last monarch	Stepan IV
Formation	18 January 1009
Abolition	9 December 1923
Residence	Heraion Tigranaberd
Appointer	Hereditary
Pretender(s)	disputed

The Monarch of Vardana ruled at various stages from the establishment of the Kingdom of Vardana, in 1009, until its dissolution, in 1923, and the revolution. Intermittently, the rulers of Vardana paid tribute or were vassals of neighboring realms. In 1830, it was succeeded by various petty kingdoms, which continued to claim the Vardanan crown until they were themselves conquered. The reunited Hazaraspid-led realm was itself overthrown in 1923; however, the Kingdom of Mysia and the Kingdom of Aretias have survived the revolutions and continue to claim Vardanan royal titles.

The monarchy was restored in 1900 when the Hazaraspid dynasty reconquered much of Vardana's core territories, but was ultimately overthrown as part of the Vardanan Revolution of 1923. The longest reigning dynasty of Vardana was the House of Artavazd, ruling from the 13th century until the 17th century, though a cadet branch continued to rule Vardana until 1830. All monarchs of Vardana descend from David I of Vardana, though some direct lines have ended.

Currently there are no fewer than six chief pretenders to the vacant throne of Vardana.

History

Various ancient kingdoms controlled what is now Vardana since before the 2nd century BC, often referred to as Urartu. Though it did not claim domain over all Vardana, the first iteration of Vardana was Greater Vardana, which was established following the abandonment of Perateia by the ancient Latin Empire in the 6th century AD. This kingdom's independence was short lived, eventually falling under the suzerainty of the Bayarid Empire. It continued to pay tribute to the Bayrids until the empire's demise and the rise of David Manavazean, who became the first Basileus of Vardana in 1009.

The Manavazean dynasty reigned until 1266 when it married into the Artavazd dynasty, who ruled until the kingdom's demise through a cadet line, in 1830. The Artavazds are regarded as the most important dynasty in Vardanan history. In 1694, Manuel I became Basileus of Vardana and King of Lihnidos, ushering in a 136 year personal union between the two realms. This period of Vardanan history is known as Xanthi Vardana, earning its name from the ruling House of Xanthi. While still a line of Artavazd rulers, the dynasty adopted the name Xanthi from its main seat in Lihnidos from which it ruled.

In 1830, the personal union ended with the death of Manuel III and the Lihnidosi rebellion. The dissolution of the union resulted in Vardana splitting into petty states, the most prominent of which continued to claim the defunct titles of Vardana.

Full title

Until the dissolution of the monarchy in 1924, the full title of the monarch of Vardana was:

[Name], by the Grace of God, Great King and Autokrator of Vardana, King of Aparan, of Mysia, of Bayazet, of Armavir, and of Ayrum, King of Tayk, Shahanshah of the West, Grand Prince of the East, First Venerable One, Bridger of Seas, Master of the Periclean and the Ozeros, Sovereign Ruler and Lord of the Scipian Provinces and the lands in between, Protector and Defender of the Apostolic Faith.

Current claimants

Main article: Succession to the Vardanan throne

The dissolution of the Monarchy of Vardana resulted in numerous successor states, the most prominent of these continued to claim the mantle of Vardana. All claimants were descend from monarchs of the Lihnidosi-Vardanan personal union and the House of Xanthi. With exception of the Lihindosi claim, all claimants follow male-preference succession practices.

Pretender		Since	House	Claim	Heir apparent
Jorin, Despot of Bayazet	File:Jorin, Despot of Bayazet.jpg	23 July 2021	Hazarasp	descendant of Great King Stepan IV (1920–1924)	Ardil I of Mysia
Basil II of Aretias		2 June 2016	Byzennos	descendant of Great King Aram IV (1896–1920)	Zenobia, Despoina of Bayazet
Isabel I of Mysia		30 August 2018	Nyrundy	descendant of Great King Manuel II (1785–1788)	David, Despot of Thynia
Zabel, Desponia of Cilixia		11 December 1981	Kordvatsi	descendant of Great King David VIII (1725–1785)	Jorin, Despot of Bayazet
Natan, Despot of Metsamor		18 September 1999	Philes	descendant of Great King David VI (1666–1699)	Prince Marios
Stella II of Lihnidos		27 November 2007	Vasiliou	descendant of Great King Manuel II (1785–1788)	Princess Efthymia, Duchess of Rhithasa

Hazaraspid claim

See also: House of Hazarasp

Badge of the Hazaraspid dynasty.

The Hazaraspids dynasty arrived in Vardana around the 11th century during the Bayarid period, originating from Chu River Valley in Uluujol. The dynasty ruled over Vardana following the departure of the Bayarid’s, and later as a princely family in the Greater Vardanan Kingdom. The Hazaraspids served the Vardanan crown as despots of Bayazet periodically from the 16th through 19th century; the province later became the primary demesne of the dynasty. Following the demise of the Lihnidosi-Vardanan personal union, Stepan Hazarasp proclaimed himself King of Greater Vardana and successor to the personal union, by right of his wife, a daughter of Empress-Queen Konstantina I (r. 1788-1815).

As the most powerful Vardanan successor state, the Hazaraspids gradually reincorporated most former Vardanan provinces, with exception of the Latin Diocese of the East. By 1900, the Hazaraspids actively disregarded any claim to the Lihnidosi throne. The Hazaraspids were overthrown in 1924 during the Vardanan Revolution and establishment of the First Republic. King Stepan VI, his wife, and heir were killed or executed during the revolution, leaving Prince Jorin of Vardana as the eldest surviving son of Stepan VI. Jorin lived abroad, in Ghant, at the time of the revolution, and was spared from the violence. He was proclaimed King of Greater Vardana from his home in Ghish by a group of newly exiled Vardanan nobles. Jorin’s son Aram was head of the House of Hazarasp from 1966 to 2021, which would have made him the fourth longest reigning monarchs in Vardanan history. In June 2021, Aram was succeeded by his eldest son Jorin. Jorin's heir presumptive is his eldest son, King Ardil I of Mysia, whose heir presumptive is David, Despot of Thynia. Should David eventually follow his father as the Head of the House of Hazarasp and the throne of Mysia, he will become the primary heir to the Hazaraspid claim, both senior and junion Mysian claims, and the Armavian claim.

Line of descent

• Empress-Queen Konstantina (1747–1815)
  • Maria of Xanthi (1779–1846)
    • King Isaac I (1808–1848)
      • King Manuel IV (1831–1896)
        • King Aram IV (1852–1920)
          • King Stepan VI (1872–1924)
            • Manuel, Despot of Bayazet (1900–1924)
            • Jorin, Despot of Bayazet (1904–1966)
              • Aram, Despot of Bayazet (1940–2021)
                • (1) Jorin, Despot of Bayazet (born 1959)

Aretian claim

Main article: Monarchy of Aretias

The Byzennos dynasty claims the Vardanan throne through Princess Kinar of Vardana, the daughter of Great King Aram IV and sister of Great King Stepan IV. Progenitor of the modern royal house, Tigran Byzennos claimed the Vardanan throne as a grandson of Aram IV and due to his position as royal governor of Bayazet at the time of the 1923 Revolution.

Today, the House of Byzennos continues to rule the islands of Aretias. The head of the house is Basil II of Aretias. His heir presumptive is Zenobia, Desponia of Bayazet.

• Empress-Queen Konstantina (1747–1815)
  • Maria of Xanthi (1779–1846)
    • King Isaac I (1808–1848)
      • King Manuel IV (1831–1896)
        • King Aram IV (1852–1920)
          • Princess Kinar (1870–1924)
            • King Tigran I of Aretias (1887–1959)
              • King Basil I of Aretias (1908–1979)
                • King Tigran II of Aretias (1932–2000)
                  • King Cyril I of Aretias (1960–2016)
                    • (1) King Basil II of Aretias (born 1988)

Mysian claim

Main articles: House of Kamytzes and Monarchy of Mysia

Royal badge of Mysia.

The first King of Mysia, David I, was the maternal great-grandson of Emperor-King Manuel II (r. 1785-1788). The Mysian kingdom is among the longest lived of the Vardanan successor states, existing from 1830 to the present day. There are two principle claimants to the Mysian claim: Isabel I of Mysia and Zabel, Desponia of Cilixia.

These competing claims diverge from King George II. The senior Aretian claim descends from Irene I of Mysia, who was the daughter of King George II. Irene was named heir to Mysia following George's restoration in 1924. Irene I’s line continues to reign Mysia from the islands of Thynia just off the Mysian coast. The junior claim originates from Constantine of Mysia, who contested the claim of his niece Irene following the death of King George II. The junior claim has since merged with the Armavian claim.

Both of the Mysian claims are set to merge upon the ascension of Isabel I's son and Zabel's great-grandson, David, Despot of Thynia, who is the presumed heir to both the Hazaraspid and Armavian claim.

Line of descent

• Emperor-King Manuel II (1725–1788)
  • Sophia of Xanthi (1749–1815)
    • David Kamytzes, Despot of Mysia (1780–1846)
      • Basileus Andreas I of Mysia (1804–1881)
        • Basileus George I of Mysia (1828–1890)
          • Basileus George II of Mysia (1852–1901)
            • David, Despot of Mysia (1876–1901)
              • Basileia Irene I of Mysia (1895–1967)
                • Basileus Stephen I of Mysia (1915–1984)
                  • Basileus George III of Mysia (1937–2010)
                    • Basileus Michael I of Mysia (1959–2020)
                      • (1) Basileia Isabel I of Mysia (born 1988)
            • Constantine of Mysia (1880–1945)
              • Daria of Mysia (1900–1945)
                • Nazani of Metsamor (1922–2012)
                  • (1) Zabel, Desponia of Cilixia (born 1943)

Armavian claim

Main article: House of Kordvatsi

The Armavian claim to the Vardanan throne is among the most remote, tracing its claim to Emperor-King David I & VII. Through this relation, the new nobility Kordvatsi dynasty rose to prominence in the province of Armavia. The family established itself as Kings of Armavia immediately following the breakup of the personal union, while also claiming the disputed title of King of Vardana. The Armavian Kings continued to claim Greater Vardanan titles from its inception in 1832 to until its demise in 1890. Makarios, Despot of Cilixia has been pretender to the vacant throne since 1981; her heir apparent is Jorin, Despot of Bayazet, whose succession to the Armavian will see the merger of the Armavian and Hazaraspid claims

Line of descent

• King-Emperor David VII & I (1697–1785)
  • Anastasia of Xanthi (1722–1770)
    • Pankratios Kordvatsi, Despot of Armavia (1752–1804)
      • Andronkios I of Armavia (1781–1849)
        • Phokas I of Armavia (1802–1897)
          • Rusudan I of Armavia (1832–1895)
          • Konstantinos of Armavia (1836–1890)
            • Makarios I of Armavia (1860–1898)
              • Andronkios II of Armavia (1883–1945)
                • Andronikos, Despot of Cilixia (1910–1981)
                  • (1) Zabel, Desponia of Cilixia (born 1943)
                    • (2) Jorin, Despot of Bayazet (born 1965)

Thrassan claim

Main article: House of Philes

File:Heraldic badge of House of Philes.svg

Heraldic badge of House of Philes.

The Kingdom of Thrassa was established in 1833, in what is now the Vardanan province of Thrassa. Aram Philes was an officer in the Vardanan military, and later governor of the province of Thrassa. He claimed the throne of Vardana during the Lihnidosi rebellion, based on descent from an illegitimate son of King David VI (r. 1666–1694). Thrassa was among the first states re-incorporated into the newly established, Hazaraspid-led Kingdom of Vardana in 1858. The current pretender is Natan, Despot of Euneos; his heir apparent is Prince Marius Philes.

Line of descent

• King David VI (1632–1964)
  • Constantine Artavazd (1654–1701)
    • David Philes (1689–1755)
      • Aram Philes, Despot of Thrassa (1715–1782)
        • Benjamin Philes (1743–1800)
          • Balthazar of Thrassa (1776–1844)
          • David of Thrassa (1811–1852)
            • Balthazar I of Thrassa (1844–1916)
              • David, Despot of Euneos (1890–1946)
                • Constantine, Despot of Euneos (1918–1977)
                  • Natan, Despot of Euneos (1939–1999)
                    • (1) Natan, Despot of Euneos (born 1965)
                      • Prince David Philes (1986–2012)
                        • (2) Prince Marius Philes (born 2010)

Lihnidosi claim

Main article: House of Vasiliou

The House of Vasiliou was a leading noble house in the Lihnidosi rebellion that led to the eventual dissolution of the personal union in 1830. In the aftermath, Athanasios, King of Ithica became Emperor of Lihnidos. He and his descendants have continued to claim the royal titles of Vardana, despite Lihnidsoi succession practices following a form of gender neutral succession while Vardanan succession followed male-preference. Athanasios I declared that the titles of Vardana were tied to the Emperor or Empress of Lihnidos. The current pretender to this claim is Empress Stella II of Lihnidos.

However, if this line was to follow male-preference in the Vardanan style, the current pretender would be Stella's brother, Prince Adrian of Lihnidos. His heir apparent is Prince Athanasios of Lihnidos.

Latin claim

The Latin claim to the abolished throne is the only claim that is not based upon any lineal descent to former Vardanan dynasties. It is instead linked to the Latin conquest of Aparan and its subsequent conquest of what is now Perateia. While there has been no actual claim to the Vardanan throne asserted by successive Latin emperors or empresses, a constructive claim was first applied to then Marius, Prince of Youth (future Emperor Marius IV), who governed Perateia, as Count of the East and later junior emperor, for a total of 16 years, from 1902 until 1918. As the longest tenured ruler of the East, Marius was often referred to as King Marius in Perateia, and remains a popular figure in Perateian culture. Even as Marius ascended to the Latin throne, he was urged to claim the Vardanan throne by a group of exiled Vardanan nobles following the Vardanan revolution. Groups supporting this claim do so on the basis of Latin control of Leonopolis based on the city's historical and cultural significance to the Vardanan people.

Seat

The seat of the Vardanan monarchs from 1009 until 1699 was Leonopolis, with its chief residence changing over time. Aparan Palace in the Aparan district held the distinction of being the longest used residence and oldest palace still extant in the city. From 1699 until 1830, [Palace] in Xanthi, Lihnidos served as the chief royal residence, while Heraion in Leonopolis remained the monarch's chief residence in Vardana.

See also

• Monarchy of Mysia
• Monarchy of Bayazet
• Monarchy of Lihnidos
• Monarchy of Aretias
• Monarchy of Perateia
• Count of the East