King Richard II of Vionna-Frankenlisch
| Richard II | |
|---|---|
| King of Vionna-Frankenlisch | |
 King Richard II photographed with his niece, Scarlett. | |
| Prince of Edrington, Commander-in-Chief | |
| Reign | 19th August 1897 - 12th November 1897 |
| Coronation | 19th August 1897 |
| Predecessor | Queen Caroline of Vionna-Frankenlisch |
| Successor | King Alexander II of Vionna-Frankenlisch |
| Born | Richard Henry Arthur David Edrington-Turrell 6 September 1864 St Kaspar's Hospital, Frankenlisch |
| Died | 12 November 1897 (aged 33) |
| Burial | Turrell Family Mausoleum, Grythshead |
| Spouse | Queen Ysolda, Princess of Wolfswood (m. 1876–1897); his death |
| Dynasty | Turrell |
| Father | Prince Quentin of Edrington |
| Mother | Queen Caroline of Vionna-Frankenlisch |
| Religion | Frankenlischian Andyism |
Richard II was King of Vionna-Frankenlisch and Frankenlischian Emperor from August of 1897 to November of that same year.
Richard was the eldest child of Queen Caroline and her consort Prince Quentin of Edrington. He was a well-loved figure in Vionna-Frankenlisch and a stalwart companion to his mother during her long reign. Often unwell, a muscular condition left him in a wheelchair for the last four years of his life and sickness claimed him only three months into his reign. Despite his popular approval, he was disliked by traditionalists in government for his progressive views and by liberals for his support of greater monarchical powers. He formed a lifelong friendship with Lord Vauxhall, who founded the Imperial Party, and the two were strong political allies.
During his brief reign, Richard laid the foundations for the modern Imperial Navy and was instrumental in securing political support for the huge expansions which would take place in the years following his death. He maintained good relations with many of the Cornellian powers but remained an ardent Adiraphobe his whole life, contributing to the tensions which brought Vionna-Frankenlisch and Adiron on opposing sides of the Great Cornellian War. Though not renowned as a patron of the arts, he opened a number of galleries and theatres while he was Duke of Grythshead and was a keen follower of the Grythshead Duchy Cricket League and supporter of Frankenlisch Martime FC, then called Imperial Navy AFC.
His marriage with Ysolda of Wolfswood produced no children. King Richard died on 12th November 1897 from ill health and was succeeded by his brother Albert, who ruled as King Alexander II.
Early Life and Education
As with all the children of Queen Caroline, Richard was born in the infirmary of Frankenlisch Castle, St Kaspar's Hospital. His birthday was 6th September, 1864, and he was the first of the five children of Queen Caroline and Prince Quentin. He was initiated by Stefan II on 1st October. Though healthy in weight and the product of a perfectly routine birth, Richard swiftly fell into his first illness from which he was not expected to recover. Sir Morris Malleck, the royal physician, suggested that the child might have underdelevoped lungs or lungs which had an abnormal structure but this was eventually found to not be the case. In spite of expectations, the prince survived and recovered enough to be confirmed as Duke of Grythshead upon his first birthday.
Prince Richard was an intelligent child, devoting his free time to reading. He entered a strict tutoring regime at age seven at which he excelled. Throughout his early years Richard was bedridden multiple times from illness and multiple operations were suggested, though there is no evidence that any were carried out. Though interested in athletic pursuits, Richard was rarely able to take part in the sporting activities of his family. To make it up to the young prince he was allowed take part in court events and ceremonies from an earlier age than usual, building on his social skills.
When he turned fourteen, Richard had his second deathly illness. It was at this time that members of the court began to see his brother, Harold, as the potential future king, rather than Richard. Though he recovered after four months, Richard never reached full health again and plans for him to recieve an Army education were scrapped. Instead he spent two years studying at a variety of Vionna-Frankenlischian universities and going on short educational trips abroad, notably to Adiron, Shrailleen and Mount Zeon. He recovered enough to spend the rest of his teenage years at the Imperial Naval College, Fredericksland and was comissioned in the Imperial Navy as a junior Lieutenant on his twentieth birthday.