Giulia the Tamaran
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| Giulia I | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Regnoselima' | |||||
| August Queen of the Santian Empire | |||||
| Reign | 17 March 1315 - 18 June 1370 | ||||
| Consecration | 21 March 1315 | ||||
| Predecessor | Vitirio I | ||||
| Successor | Giulia II | ||||
| Born | Danata Bianca di Magario 13 March 1293 Orafars | ||||
| Died | 18 June 1370 (aged 77) Yezerin | ||||
| Burial | |||||
| Issue | Giulia II Prince Letio Vitirio Prince Golbiro Capitolo Princess Danata Arsama Princess Faraia Luqiana Prince Araspo Magario Princess Gemelica Selima | ||||
| |||||
| Lineage | House of Magario | ||||
| Father | Vitirio I | ||||
| Mother | Gemelica the Tamaran | ||||
| Religion | Santian Folk Religion | ||||
Giulia I (born Danata Bianca di Magario; c. 13 March 1293 - 18 June 1370), also known by her posthumous name Ziastorovianosa, or commonly as Giulia the Tamaran, was the longest-reigning monarch of the Santian Empire. Ruling from 1315 to 1370, she oversaw the restoration of the empire from a small rump state into a major territorial power, ruling the entirity of the islands of Santia and Promeridona, and is regarded as the first ruler of the Giulian Period of Santian history.
Early years
Giulia I was born Danata Bianca di Magario in winter 1293, in Orafars, her date of birth traditionally placed on 13 March. The third child of Prince Piro-Darado Fisi, son of reigning king Piro-Pero, her mother was Gemelica the Tamaran, a northern Tamaran princess who had been married to Piro-Darado in a diplomatic union in 1291. During her upbringing she remained close to her mother, speaking to her in a Tamaran dialect which would quickly give her the lifelong epithet 'the Tamaran'. In 1297, Piro-Pero died, naming Piro-Darado to succeed him as Vitirio I. As the daughter of a reigning king, Giulia was educated by court scholars on the presumption that she would participate in government, with a standard curriculum including poetry, hunting, horse-riding, calligraphy and singing. In 1306, aged 13, she is recorded as having led ancestral sacrifices at the annual Amsira celebrations in Magario on behalf of the king.
In 1308, aged 15, Giulia ended her formal education, and underwent a coming-of-age ceremony. By this time, she was recognised by her father as a capable princess, and was given the prestigious role of Warden of Orafars, separating her from the court during the summer months. During her time in the role, she assisted the king in presiding over the first re-plastering of the White Walls of Orafars in over 50 years, and formed links with a number of notables and officials who would later occupy high positions in her reign, including the Giasabsian Romelio Salu Masinu. In 1313, after presiding over the annual Amemsori celebrations for a second time, she was withdrawn from the role of Warden and returned to court. Historians generally agree that this was intended to position her closer to succession, either so that she could be evaluated against her siblings or because she was already considered the most desirable heir; by 1313, Vitirio I's health was beginning to deterioriate. In 1315, no successor had been publicly designated, and Giulia's elder brother Piro-Faraio Delo was still considered a strong contender for the throne.
Accession
On 17 March 1315, in Yezerin, Vitirio I died after a long illness. Having been in too poor condition to make the seasonal move to Orafars at the beginning of winter, many leading members of the House of Magario had gathered in expectation of his death, but by March had begun to drift away, leaving Giulia in Yezerin with a minority of other princes and princesses. After learning of Vitirio I's death, Giulia declared that she believed she had been designated heir, and was able to earn the acceptance of her claim at court before the arrival of Piro-Faraio. On 21 March, the House of Magario convened at the Magario Tombs to oversee Vitirio I's burial and the succession. Following the funeral, Giulia presented her rule as a fait accompli and received oaths of loyalty from Piro-Faraio and other potential claimants. After this, she immediately returned to the entrance of the main tomb and underwent formal consecration, completing her accession to the throne.
Political struggles
Despite the efforts of Vitirio I to re-assert royal authority during his reign, the position of the monarchy remained precarious at Giulia's accession. The former king's chancellor, Shiro Remso di Castalesio, had backed Giulia's claim after she agreed to re-confirm his position, and quickly cemented his authority by putting forward a list of appointments, the majority of which Giulia accepted. Shiro Remso's cousin, Aiba Razmie di Castalesio, became Chamberlain of the Hall of Appearances, controlling access to the court.