Queen Mary of Vionna-Frankenlisch
| Mary | |
|---|---|
| Queen of Vionna-Frankenlisch | |
 | |
| Reign | 15th August 1863 - 14th March 1864 |
| Coronation | 19th August 1863 |
| Predecessor | Edward II |
| Successor | Alexander I |
| Born | Mary Wolsted Saint-Marie Turrell 3 November 1832 Grythshead, Kingdom of Vionna |
| Died | 14 March 1864 (aged 31) |
| Burial | Duchy Cathedral, Grythshead |
| Spouse | Frederick of Saxondale (m. 1849–1852); his death |
| Issue | Alexander I |
| Dynasty | Turrell |
| Father | Edward II |
| Religion | Frankenlischian Andyism |
Mary was Queen of Vionna-Frankenlisch and Frankenlischian Empress from 15th August 1863 to her assassination on 14th March 1864. Her reign of 212 days one of three Vionna-Frankenlischian monarchs to have lasted less than a year, outlasting only Richard I, who was deposed, and Richard II who died of illness after 85 days.
The third child of Edward II and his only daughter, Mary was never expected to take the throne of Vionna-Frankenlisch. Her two elder brothers, James and Harold were both capable statesmen and military officers and a third brother, William, was three years younger than Mary and proved an intelligent child. Disaster struck the Imperial family when Prince James and Prince Harold were killed in battle within several months of each other, James at the Battle of Penstle and Harold at the Battle of Barfleur Bay. At Mary's own urging, Edward II made Prince William the next heir instead of her but in 1863 he died of a sudden illness which also claimed the life of the King. With no other alternative, Mary was made Queen and coronated on 19th August 1863.
Queen Mary's short reign was not remarkable in any particular way. It followed a period of heavy warfare under Edward II and saw the begining of a period of peace and prosperity which came to a head under Alexander I, Mary's successor. Considered naive and flighty, Mary had married young to the Duke of Saxondale and gave birth to a son, Alexander. The Duke of Saxondale died after only three years of marriage and Mary did not marry again, steadily gaining a (possibly undeserved) reputation for promiscuity amongst the Court of Saint Romulus. She hosted many parties and revelled in tournaments and public festivals. Though this made her popular with the common people of her kingdom, Mary was decidedly naive and inept at politics, she did not involve herself in court intrigue and refused to work closely with her government. After seven months a plot by her opposition at court succeeded in assassinating the young Queen, exploiting a lack of security to murder her at a country festival.