Mikolau I of Vozh

Mikolau I
High King of the Vozhski
Reign	20 July, 1916 - 17 October, 1949
Coronation	8 August, 1916
Predecessor	Monarchy established
Successor	Paul I
Born	Nikolaas Karel Frederik van Wolf 1 December 1871 Rothenburg, Grand Duchy of Rothenburg, Atmoran Confederation
Died	17 October 1949 (aged 77) Kyiv', U.K. of Vozh
Burial	Sandzec Castle, U.K. Vozh
Spouse	Princess Maria-Aleide of Huldenberg
Issue	Paul I Prince David Prince Andrej Princess Agat Elisaveta I
Full name Dutch langauge: Nikolaas Karel Frederik Vozhski: Mikolau Karl Frederyk
House	Wolf
Father	Grand Duke Frederick II of Rothenburg
Mother	Princess Victoria Amalia of Lieseltania
Religion	Church of Visenna (till 1916) Slavonic Catholicism (after 1916)

Mikolau I (born Prince Nikolaas Karel Frederik of Rothenburg; 1 December, 1871 - 17 October, 1949) was High King of the Vozhski from 1916 until his death in 1949. He took the throne of a young Vozhsk nation just three years after its independence from his homeland, the Atmoran Empire. He was invited to the throne after a successful coup against the fledgling Republic by a conspiracy of Atmoraanse settlers, Vozhsk landlords, clergy, and conservative tribal leaders dissatisfied with the socialist orientation of the Republican regime.

Initially expected to be the puppet of the reactionary clique, Mikolau proved to be quite independent. He instituted a popular land-reform, endearing him to the peasantry and somewhat dampening the republican sentiments of the countryside as well as reducing the influence of the clique. His reign oversaw the stabilising of the nation, and the beginnings of a modern state. in 1944, he authored a liberal constitution for Vozh, beginning the first era of parliamentary democracy in the country since 1916. This success was short-lived however, as after his death the reactionary movement once again seized power during the reign of his much weaker and less charismatic son, Paul I.

Early Life

Prince Nikolaas Karel Frederik of Rothenburg was born in Rothenburg Castle as the second son to Frederick, Hereditary Grand Duke of Rothenburg and Princess Victoria Amalia of Lieseltania. Prince Nikolaas was born during the reign of his grandfather Grand Duke Adolf II Willem, third in line to the throne behind his elder brother Prince Henry. Through his mother, Princess Victoria Amalia, he was second cousin to High Queen Juliet-Alexandra through his great-grandfather Prince Leopold, the younger brother of the High Queen.

As the second child of the Hereditary Grand Duke, there was little expectation that Nikolaas would become Grand Duke. Raised and educated together his older brother Prince Frederick with Jonkheer Reinout van Zwakenberg appointed as their tutor. Perhaps one of the lasting impacts on Nikolaas was when his nanny Paulien Shakvina was caught stealing silverware from the Grand Ducal Palace by the Rothenburg Grand Ducal's Life Guards. His grandfather the Grand Duke a harsh disciplinarian, had the woman caned in the public square. This event would lead Nikolaas to go to the Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine instead of the Koninklijke Militaire Academie, not wishing to join the Atmoran Army and potentially being sent to the Vosha Protectorate. Nikolaas saw the Royal Atmoran Navy, as the better alternative and on his 18th birthday in 1889 he would join the navy. In 1891, he would commissioned as a Onderluitenant-ter-Zee serving his first deployment on the HMS Lynx, in the Gulf of Fusang at Kwartier-Marinebasis Hekinan.

Reign

Mikolau I's journey to the throne began with his invitation by a conspiracy of Atmoraanse settlers, Vozhsk landlords, clergy, and conservative tribal leaders to lead Vozh as High King. Initially seen as a potential puppet ruler, Mikolau I proved to be a leader of independent thought and action, shaping his legacy as more than just a figurehead. After a brief power struggle between the High King and the conservative clique, the monarch managed to establish himself as essentially a dictator by the year 1918.

Political and Economic Reform (1919-1948)

1. Rehabilitation of Imprisoned Socialists: In a gesture of reconciliation and healing, the High King initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation program for imprisoned socialists who had been targeted during the early years of the United Kingdom. This move aimed to bring former political adversaries back into the fold and foster a sense of national unity. As part of his commitment to political pluralism, Mikolau allowed socialists to re-enter the political sphere. The ban on socialist parties was lifted, enabling them to participate freely in the nation's political process. This inclusive approach helped bridge ideological divides and allowed for a more diverse representation in the government.

Portrait of High King Mikolau in his coronation robes.

2. Establishment of Slavonic Catholicism as the State Church.

3. Abolition of Feudalism: In a return of Republican-era policy, Mikolau abolished feudal rent, ensuring that peasant smallholders were no longer burdened by oppressive rent payments to aristocratic landowners. Furthermore, as part of his land-reform efforts, he divided aristocratic estates among peasant smallholders. This redistribution of land brought economic relief to the peasantry and marked a significant blow to the influence of the reactionaries.

4. Policy of Ethnic Federalism: Acknowledging the diverse ethnic composition of the Vozhski nation, Mikolau embraced a policy of ethnic federalism. This approach allowed for greater regional autonomy and recognition of the distinct cultural identities of various ethnic groups within Vozh; aimed to promote cooperation and understanding among different communities. These policies eventually led to the establishment of the modern Vozhsk federal subjects in 1944.

5. Legalization of Collective Farms: Recognizing the potential benefits of collective farming for agricultural productivity, Mikolau I legalized and supported the establishment of collective farms. This move encouraged cooperation among farmers and modernized agricultural practices. By the end of his reign, collective farms accounted for roughly one quarter of Vozh's agricultural output.

February Putsch

In February of 1937, Mikolau I faced a significant internal challenge when a right-wing coup attempt aimed at reversing his progressive reforms and undermining the Vozhsk state was launched. However, the High King's loyalists, along with former republican militiamen, swiftly intervened to suppress the coup. This decisive action reaffirmed Mikolau I's position and demonstrated the resilience of the monarchy and the support it had garnered from various sectors of Vozhsk society.

The Great Patriotic War

The defining moment of Mikolau's reign was the Third Voshan War, which erupted on 13 March 1941 and lasted until 29 June 1946. This war was a fierce struggle between Vozh and the Geuzendam regime in Atmora, the opening theater of the first truly global conflict. The war, known as 'The Great Patriotic War' in Vozh, witnessed millions of casualties on both sides, leaving a devastating impact on the societies and economies of the Halkeginian continent. Throughout the war, Mikolau showed extraordinary leadership and unwavering determination to preserve Vozh's independence. He mobilized the nation's resources and rallied the people behind the cause of defending their homeland. The Vozhsk resistance, bolstered by the High King's unwavering resolve, fought fiercely against the occupying forces and the collaborationist regime.

High King Mikolau inspecting the troops.

In addition to his military leadership, Mikolau played a key role in shaping Vozh's political culture during the war. On 12th July 1944, he authored a progressive constitution that laid the foundation for a more inclusive and democratic Vozhsk state. This constitution enshrined the principles of human rights, political freedoms, and social justice, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history and serving as the basis of the modern Vozhsk constitution adopted after the end of military rule in 1981.

Mikolau's charismatic and progressive rule inspired a personality cult that developed around him during the Third Voshan War. The High King's enthusiastic embrace of the Vozhsk people and his dedication to their well-being endeared him to many, leading to a strong sense of loyalty and admiration among the populace. The emergence of this propaganda movement further solidified his position as a beloved and revered leader for decades to come.

Final Years and Death

The final years of Mikolau's reign proved relatively uneventful, something he noted to loved ones as a 'welcome reprieve' from the frenetic action that characterized most of his life. The High King died in his sleep due to natural causes on 17 October, 1949.

Legacy

As a result of Mikolau's progressive rule and the success of his leadership during the Third Voshan War, there was a temporary decline in Republican sentiments within Vozh. The High King's popular governance, personal charisma, and the positive impact of his policies generated a sense of national unity and pride, making the republican ideal less prominent during the latter half of his reign.

His reign is remembered as a transformative period in Vozhski history. His reforms and initiatives aimed at social reconciliation, political inclusivity, and economic development helped forge a sense of unity and shared identity in the nation. The authoring of the progressive constitution in 1944 further solidified his commitment to democratic values.

However, after Mikolau's death, the monarchy faced significant challenges. His weaker son, Paul I, succeeded him, leading to a decline in the monarchy's authority. In the aftermath of Mikolau's passing, a military coup took place, leading to three decades of conservative rule that lasted into the late 1970s under multiple High Kings. Despite this period of conservative rule, his legacy as a progressive leader and his contributions to Vozhsk society endured, shaping the nation's history for generations to come.

Titles and styles

• 1 December 1879 – 19 July 1916: His Royal Highness Prince Nikolaas of Rothenburg

• 20 July 1916 – 17 October 1949 His Most Catholic Majesty Mikolau the First by the Grace of God, High King of the Vozhski, King of the Mountains, Prince of the Venedi and the Jeheri, the Protector of the Musulmen and the Jews, Sheriff of the Sacred Places, Lord of the Islands, and President of the Federation