Michael, 5th Earl of Tarringway
| Michael Fowler 5th Earl of Tarringway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Michael Fowler 11 July 1728 Tarringway, Kingdom of the Riverland |
| Died | 28 July 1809 (aged 71) |
| Title | Earl of Tarringway |
| Other titles | Baron Nimminster, Baronet Fowler |
| Nationality |  Riverlander |
| Residence | Nimminster Castle |
| Wars and battles | King Malcom's War |
| Offices | Captain-General of the Army MP for Tarringway |
| Predecessor | Lawrence, 4th Earl |
| Successor | Michael, 6th Earl |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Elizabeth Baynton |
| Issue | Michael, 6th Earl Felicity, Lady Darren |
| Occupation | Soldier |
Lord Michael Fowler, 5th Earl of Tarringway, Baron Nimminster, and Baronet Fowler, was a Vionnan soldier, nobleman, and later politician. In a military career spanning fifty years, he established himself as one of the most successful and famous Vionna-Frankenlischian military commanders of the 18th century, leading armies of the Kingdom of the Riverland and its successor state, the Kingdom of Vionna. His victories during King Malcom's War secured the Riverlandian Conquest of Grythshead, particularly the battles of Helderny and Staffmoore, and successfully prevented an Erinite invasion of Cunaris with his victories at Fowler's Ford and Cebrennec. Belonging to the Fowler family, he held the parliamentary constituency of Tarringway and served briefly as Lord Armourer to the Vionnan Empress Elizabeth of Vionna.
Early Life
Family and Birth
The second son of the 4th Earl of Tarringway, Lawrence, and Arabella, Lady Tarringway, Michael was born at Nimminster Castle. His father had enjoyed a short military career in the Fletcher's War but after serious wounds at the Siege of Rollanburgh he spent the rest of his life at court and managing his demense. Lady Arabella was the daughter of the Viscount Tornan and, besides some well-recieved harpsichord compositions, achieved little of note during her life. Michael's elder brother, William, was four years his senior and died in a hunting accident at seventeen. The family had three other children: two sons and a daughter. The daughter, Elizabeth, who married Lyle Huntingforth, who served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Vionna. The younger sons were a pair of twins: Enoch and David, born in 1732.
Youth
Michael's childhood was mostly spent at Nimminster, a town which was central to the Tarringway lands. Nimminster Castle was the traditional seat of the Fowlers and the five children of Lawrence Fowler grew up there. As with most children of the aristocracy, Michael's early education was managed by private tutors until he attended Nimminster College from the age of eleven. Though he did not excel academically, he was a skilled horseman and creatively gifted. As the second son of the house, he had greater freedom to decide his path and, though he enjoyed artistic pursuits, was not on any committed path by the time his elder brother died in 1741.
With the death of William Fowler, Michael became heir to the Earldom and his hopes for an artistic career were dashed for the first time. As heir he was granted the courtesy title of Baron Nimminster and he was enrolled in the University of Falscraf, which his father believed would give him the skills which would be important when he took up the Earldom. Michael did not enjoy his time at Falscraf and lamented its lack of sporting and artistic opportunities. Later in life, Michael had his revenge for his time at Falscraf, writing: "During the Conquest, I had the good fortune to command the force which lay siege to Falscraf. Though by this point, my dear Katherine had become the chief of my artillery, I took great pleasure in directing the gunnery myself. Once the castle had surrendered, I ordered the old punishment books burned and a new study chamber torn down. The space where it stood was made, by my instruction, into a field for the playing of Cricket. One hears that Falscraf School today boasts one of the finest cricketing teams in the Kingdom."
Michael left Falscraf in 1746 and took up civil duties in Nimminster. His father had fallen ill in late 1745 and never fully recovered. As heir to the Tarringway estates, Michael acted on his father's behalf when the Earl was too unwell to fulfil his duties. War had broken out that year and one of the Earl's responsibilities was the military organisation of the county. From those responsibilities Michael gained a keen interest in military affairs and, in 1748, was appointed Inspector-General of Militia by King Francis. Though the additional duties drew him away from his family, he took to the appointment with vigour and from March to September 1748, he toured the entire country inspecting garrisons and making improvements to local militias and fortifications. It was during this time that the family were devastated by the deaths of Enoch and David Fowler, who were both killed at the Battle of Collin's Field at the age of 16. Both twins were serving as Ensigns in the 4th Guards of Foot.
Succession
Never fully recovering from his illness, Lawrence Fowler died in June 1749 and Michael ascended to the Earldom. Still grieving the deaths of his brothers and mourning his father, the new Earl petitioned the King for a field command and was appointed General in command of the newly-raised Army of Ballaeter in December 1749.
The sudden succession of a young, unmarried gentleman to such an important position was met with intrigue among the Riverlander court. Michael's diary for August 1749 records no less than twenty private engagements with other families of the court. The Tarringway lands were rich and the family prestigious, if not an ancient bloodline, and a series of feuds and intrigues developed in the court over who would marry the young Earl. In the end it was Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke of Baynton, who won his affection. The courtship was been extremely short and the pair agreed terms of marriage in late November. As a dowry, Michael recieved Folkaster Castle and gave 300 fine horses to the Bayntons. Over the course of his life, Michael spent much time at Folkaster and successfuly developed it into a bustling market settlement. In his later political career he successfully lobbied for Folkaster to be converted into an estate of its own, it remains a Viscouncy.
Though a high-profile occasion, the wedding was small and took place on December 15th. The couple only had two days together before Michael left to take up his new command.