Constantine XIV of Mesogeia

Constantine XIV (23 October 1611 - 18 April 1653), known as Constantine the Just, was Emperor of Mesogeia from 1625 until his death. At the age of fourteen, Constantine became Emperor following the assassination of his father Emperor Manuel VII. As a result of the country's years of civil war during his father's reign, Constantine inherited a realm embroiled in turmoil. When he turned sixteen he banished his mother and her clique from court taking power into his own hands.

Deeply disturbed and paranoid by years of watching his father fight for his life and his throne, Constantine XIV reiled heavily on his ministers, most notably the Duke of PLACENAME, a rumored lover, and then Archbishop Rendakis. Constantine XIV through his ministers is most known for beginning the process of the subjugation of the nobility, through the disbandment of private armies, the outlawing of dueling and the implementing of laws against carrying weapons,

Early life

Constantine was born at the Philopation Palace, he was the second eldest son of Manuel VII and his wife Empress PLACEHOLDER. As the son of the reigning Emperor of Mesogeia, he was entitled to the rank Grand Prince, and style of Porphyrogenitus. In 1623, his brother Alexander, Despot of Morea, five years his senior, suddenly died; Constantine was declared Despot of Morea, heir to the throne.

Regency

Constantine XIV ascended to the Celestial throne in 1625, his mother Empress PLACDEHOLDER served as regent for her young son allowing for the ministers of her late husband to stay on as members of the regency council. The regency was plagued by rebellion and internal struggles for political control. The senior most prince of the blood, Alexander-Henri, Prince of Opsikion rebelled against the regency but was brought to heel in 1627, when Constantine dismissed the regency council and declared himself of age. The following year Parliament was summoned to hear the grievances of Opsikion and the nobility.

Despite the ending of the regency, Constantine's mother continued to rule the empire with the aide of her favorites, foreigners deeply unpopular throughout Mesogeia. The placing of foreigners in positions of power angered the old aristocracy. One such noble, PLACEHOLDER convinced the Emperor to banish his mother and go to the nobles for aide. In 1628, Constantine fled the Imperial Palace of Alexandropolis and joined the rebel factions in staging a palace coup that left PLACEHOLDER, his mother's favorite dead, and his mother imprisoned.

The Duke

Constantine XIV granted the loyal courtier, PLACEHOLDER, the title of Duke and allowed him to govern the realm. But the newly ennobled duke soon became just as unpopular as the murdered former favorite had been. It did not help matters that Duke PLACEHOLDER was both young and inexperienced like his master. It wasn't long before rumors began swirling around court the Emperor and the Duke were more then just companions, all of Mesogeia believed them to be lovers.

A rival court faction began forming with the sole purpose of removing the young Emperor from the clutches of the duke, whose influence over the monarch was viewed with suspicion The rival faction turned to the emperor's exiled mother for leadership and by 1630 the faction had raised an army to save the emperor from the evil duke. A force commanded by the Duke was able to route the rebel forces. With the help of Randakis, a rising politician, the Emperor and his mother were reconciled, but the Duke soon fell ill and died in late November 1631.

Rendakis as Chief Minister, 1631-1653

From 1631 until Constantine XIV's death in 1653, Rendakis played a major role in the government of Mesogeia, effectively ruling in the name of the emperor for over two decades. Under Constantine XIV and Rendakis, the imperial Crown began crushing the power of the nobility.

Marriage and personal life

On 28 December 1627 married Athanasia of Messenia, daughter of the King of Messenia. The kingdom of Messenia was a catholic power with strong historic ties to Mesogeia. The marriage was an unhappy one but it produced four daughters early on. Finally December 5, 1648, after being married for over twenty years the long awaited son, the future Constantine XV. The birth of Constantine was followed by that of his younger brother, the Duke of Chalcedon

Like his predecessors and successors, Constantine XIV had a harem of 300 women, with several male companions frequenting his chambers. The Mesogeians being notorious bisexuals is demonstrated in the quote "All men must keep women for procreation, but a wise man keeps handsome men for pleasure" a quote by an ancient writer that emphasizes this long held belief. It was rumored however that men were the only interest to the young emperor, indicating that he was a homosexual in the modern term.

Constantine's biographers have concluded that the Duke of PLACENAME (Emperor's own cousin), Count of PLACENAME, Duke of PLACENAME, Duke of Hormisdas, and the Marquis of PLACENAME were all lovers of the Emperor at one point

Death

Constantine XIV died in Alexandropolis on 18 April 1653, due to complications with tuberculosis. He was succeeded by his son Constantine XV.