Edward, 1st Viscount Hollens
| Edward de Martinden, 1st Viscount Hollens KGCmV | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 18 May 1630 Valksland, Fallen Isles |
| Died | 12 August 1679 (aged 49) Aboard HMNS Gracious Andrew off Cross St Callen, Kingdom of Caledonia |
| Resting place | Valksland Maritime Cathedral |
| Title | Viscount Hollens, Baron Emmonport |
| Nationality | Frankenlischian (Fallen Islander) |
| Residence | Emmonport Castle |
| Offices | Lord High Admiral of Frankenlisch |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Frankenlisch |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Battles/wars | War of the Four Sultans South Orion War |
Edward de Martinden, 1st Viscount Hollens, KGCmV, was a Frankenlischian military officer and nobleman who fought during the Franko-Caledonian Wars. Primarily a naval officer, though he also led land-based campaigns, de Martinden rose to the rank of Vice Admiral and was appointed Lord High Admiral of Frankenlisch for his service in the second half of the 17th century.
Early Life and Family
Edward de Martinden was born on the 18th of May 1630 on the island of Valksland, the second-largest of the Fallen Isles and part of the Kingdom of Frankenlisch. He was the second child of Sir Enock de Martinden and his wife Elizabeth, his elder sister was Beatrice de Martinden. Sir Enock was a prominent Fallen Islander merchant and privateer who had fought in the Siege of Featherwick and raided Wolfswooder shipping on behalf of the Frankenlischian government and the Vista River Company. Edward was born while his father was away on an expedition and Sir Enock did not see his son until his second birthday.
As was common for the children of wealthy families, Edward was sent away to study while still very young. He attended a boarding school on Valksland from his sixth birthday until aged ten. He was unable to get into Falscraf as he did not have the appropriate patronage to waive the entry exam and instead attended Gestoria School until he was fifteen. A charismatic and popular boy, Edward did not exceed academically despite being described as intelligent by his contemporaries. Edward decided not to continue his education and instead became an apprentice aboard one of his father's ships.
Vista River Company
Edward de Martinden's first ship was the caravel Stephen of Daerenden, captained by a cousin of the family. In August 1645, the ship was contracted by the Vista River Company to carry a cargo of Frankenlischian-made longbows to supply a company of the King of Vladimirska's guardmen. The round trip took three weeks and de Martinden did not distinguish himself on the routine voyage. An aging ship, the Stephen of Daerenden was relegated to coastal duties, mostly ferrying coal and seafood. Surviving sections of the ship's log note that de Martinden briefly took command in December of 1646 when the captain fell ill.
For his brief stint in command of Stephen of Daerenden, de Martinden was promoted to become Second Mate aboard the Merchant of Valksland which was commanded by his father.