Alberto IV
| Alberto César Augusto | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Cárinansia | |
 Official portrait 1931 | |
| Emperor | 29 July 1899 - 11 June 1939 |
| Predecessor | Alberto III |
| Successor | Alberto V |
| Full name
Alberto Roberto Domingo Carlos Juan José Augusto | |
| Titles and styles
His Excellency | |
| Born | 27 November 1852 Imperial Palace, São Alberto |
| Died | 11 June 1939 (aged 86) Downtown São Lenoas, Cárinansia |
| Buried | 12 July 1939 Imperial Mausoleum |
| Family | House of August |
| Empress | Alexa Marisol |
| Issue
Alberto V, and five other legitimate children | |
| Father | Alberto III |
| Mother | Maria Augusta de San Luis-Vóclaria |
| Religion | Amendist Godsinian |
Alberto IV was the Carinansian monarch from 1899 until his death almost 40 years later in 1939 when he was assassinated in downtown São Lenoas by a Valorán extremist, causing irreparable damage to the two countries relations. Throughout his reign, he imposed extensive religious reform by formalising the detachment from the Papacy, despite over two thirds of the country adhering to Godsinian catholicism. Given this disconnect, he banned all public displays of religion in any context, to enforce state secularism, maintaining that a distinct clergy and government was best for the administration of education. Outside of that, he allowed the church to take over on matters of waste collection and utilities, leading to the formation of church corporations throughout the country to administer these services, and causing the churches to become very wealthy as they expanded investments.
Born in 1852 to Alberto III as Prince Imperial Alberto, he became a national icon for his success as a matador and a fencing champion. Upon turning 18 he received the royal crown of Mangulak. He used some of the accrued wealth in the prosperous kingdom to finance the empire's second university as the Imperial College of Oligi, and build some free housing for the homeless in exchange for labour to pay off the cost and receive payment via the Labour Laws. He received the crowns of Lekeadia and La Plata over the years until his father's death on 29 July 1899.
Upon becoming emperor, he gave out food to the poor and condemned Catholic Godsinianism. In 1913 during the Suroikoian Front of the First Great War, substantial swathes of Cárinansian lands were occupied by Valorán forces following surprise bombings and attacks, which saw Valorán President Felipe Aguinaldo declare himself Emperor of Suroikoia. Fighting quickly saw Valorán soldiers reach the edges of the Vóclaria valley, but repelled by Cárinansian forces led by Gen. Rodrigo Berganza and Alberto, Prince Imperial of Vóclaria as naval forces blockaded the Valorán coast. The north was liberated from foreign control in 1917, and the Empire of Suroikoia conditionally surrendered in 1919.
Alberto IV was appointed Consul of Valorá by the provisional governing committee as the closest living relative of the most recent noble Valorán monarch, Sebastian II, who died in 1872 and who’s death saw the beginnings of the second Valorán Civil War. As a republician consul of Valorá for 11 years, he was instrumental in the passage of civil rights reforms and emancipating reforms for women and indigenous people. This led to the 1929 Platencía Incident and 1930 San Esteban Agreement that saw the resignation of Alberto IV as consul of Valorá, in exchange for an alliance lasting fifty years and which could be renewed, complete Cárinansian sovereignty over the provinces of Vascara and La Senio, and three billion Imperial pesos in repayments for some of the state subsidies provided. However, the new dictator Consul Lucián San Martín orchestrated an assassination against him in 1939 which was ultimately successful, believing the terms to be overly harsh leading to the breakout of the Suroikoian Front of the Second Great War.
Early Life
Alberto IV, born Alberto Roberto Domingo Carlos Juan José Augusto on 27 November 1852, in the Imperial Palace in what was then-known as São Alberto, as the scion of the prestigious Carinansian Imperial family. He was the eldest son of Emperor Alberto III and Empress María Augusta de Montenegro.
Growing up in the opulence of the royal court, young Alberto received a comprehensive education, which included lessons in diplomacy, military strategy, and statecraft, alongside his academic pursuits. His upbringing was characterized by the expectations of royalty, yet he exhibited a remarkable penchant for athleticism and martial arts from a tender age.
Alberto's prowess as a matador and fencing champion became widely celebrated across Carinansia, endearing him to the public and earning him the moniker "El Imbatible." His sporting achievements not only brought him personal acclaim but also bolstered the morale of the populace, fostering a sense of national pride.
Upon attaining the age of majority, Alberto was invested with the royal crown of Mangulak, marking his formal entry into the realm of governance. His ascension was met with widespread enthusiasm, as his popularity transcended the confines of royalty, resonating with commoners and nobles alike.
In a testament to his commitment to education and social welfare, Prince Imperial Alberto utilized a portion of the State's prosperity to establish the Imperial College of Oligi, thereby expanding access to higher learning for aspiring scholars. Additionally, he initiated philanthropic endeavors such as the construction of free housing for the homeless, demonstrating a compassionate concern for the welfare of his subjects.
The untimely demise of Emperor Alberto III in July 1899 precipitated Alberto IV's assumption of the imperial mantle. With his accession to the throne, he embarked on a transformative journey, guided by a vision of modernization and progress for Carinansia.