Monarchy of Hellona

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King of Hellona
Kᛟᚾᛁᛝ Vᚨᚾ ᚻᛖᛚᛚᚨᚾᚦ
Emblem of Hellona.svg
Incumbent
Kristoffer of Hellona.jpg
Kristoffer
since 7 October 1953
Details
StyleHis Majesty
First monarchBjörn Wodanerson
Formation1052
ResidenceOwidal Royal Palace
AppointerHeredity

The monarchy of Hellona, and by extension the monarchy of the Hellonian Realm, concerns itself with the monarchical head of state of Hellona and the Hellonian Realm. It is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy within a parliamentary democracy. The monarchy of contemporary Hellona finds its origin in the establishment of the kingdom by the legendary king Björn Wodanerson in the 5th century.

Modern-day Hellona is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system based on the idea of popular sovereignty. These ideas are defined in the Charter for the Realm and the Instrument of Government of Hellona. The monarch and the members of the royal family undertake a variety of official, unofficial and other representational duties within the Realm and abroad

Constitutional role

The Hellonian Realm as a unified entity is a constitutional monarchy, of which King-Exalt Kristoffer is the current head of state. Although the powers of the monarch in the Hellonian state were greater, the role of monarch is nowadays limited to ceremonial and representative functions in the Hellonian Realm and abroad. Under the Instrument of Government of Hellona, the monarch lacks any formal form of political power anywhere in the Realm. In mainland Hellona, the monarch traditionally opens each parliamentary year, holds regular information councils with the Great-Minister and formally chairs the government of the Realm, His Majesty's Council, although this role is often delegated to the Great-Minister of Hellona. In addition, the monarch pays State Visits abroad and receive those incoming as hosts. The monarch and the Royal Family undertake a variety of other unofficial representative duties in Hellona, the Realm and abroad. The monarch also acts as head of the Asatru faith, hence the title of King-Exalt. Officially both titles are seen as separate and only held by the same person. Within the constitutional framework of Hellona, the monarch must always be of Asatru faith. The State itself is of secular nature constitutionally, although the country is overwhelmingly of Asatru faith.

Cultural role

Besides the tasks laid down in the constitutional documents of the Hellonian Realm, the monarch and Royal Family of the Realm also engage in other activities of Hellonian life. The most important of these is the participation in and the conduct of state visits. Other members of the Royal Family can also represent the country abroad at lesser events.

Many of the flag days of Hellona and the Realm have direct royal connotations; among them the birthdays of the King, the Queen-mother and, if applicable, the birthdays of other senior members of the Royal Family. None of these days are public holidays, however.

In addition to acting as the head of state, the monarch of Hellona also functions as head of the Asatru faith. This role is constitutionally seen as separate from the position of head of state, as the state itself is secular in nature. In practice, the position of head of state and the Exalt of the Asatruic faith are always in the hands of the same person. This means the monarch also engages in religious ceremonies and events as head of the faith. The most important of these is leading the annual Wodanblót in the Wodaner Temple in Owidal.

Titles

The full title of the Hellonian monarch is as follows:

In Hellonian; ᛒᛉ ᚦᛖ ᚷᛖᚾᚨᚦᛖ ᚦᛖᚱ ᚷᛟᚦᛖᚾ, Kᛟᚾᛁᛝ Vᚨᚾ ᚻᛖᛚᛚᚨᚾᚦ, ᚾᛟᚱᛋᚢᚾᚦ, ᛗᛖᚾᚨKᛟᛖᛈᛖᚾ, ᛚᛁᛚᛟᛏᚢKᚨ, ᛋᛖVᚱᛟᚾᛖᚾ, ᛏᛁᚱᛈᛁᛏZ ᛖᚾ ᛖᛒᚢᚱᛖᚾ, ᛒᛖᛋᚷᛖᚱᛗᚻᛖᛖᚱ ᛞᛖᚱ ᛗᛟᛖᚾᛞᛖᚱᛖᚾ ᛖᚾ ᛏᛉᚱᛖᚾ, Kᚱᛉᚷᛖᚱ ᛞᛖᛋ ᚹᛟᛞᚨᛋ ᛖᚾ VᛖᚱᚻᛖVᛖᚾᛖ ᛞᛖᚱ ᚨᛋᛋᚾᛏᚱᛟᚢᚹ; Bij de Genade der Goden, Koning van Helland, Norsund, Menakoepen, Lilotuka, Sevronen, Tirpitz en Eburen, Beschermheer der Moenderen en Tijren, Krijger des Wodans en Verhevene der Assentrouw

In English; By the Grace of the Gods, King of Hellona, Norsund, the Menako Islands, Tirpitz, Lilotuka Island, the Sevros Islands, the Ebure Isles, Protector of Moundra and Tyrean, Warrior of Wodan and Exalt of the Asatru faith

The full title of Hellonian monarchs changed in accordance to the growth or loss of Hellonian territory. Thus titles at times included king of Eburon and protector of Sconia.

The full title, however, is rarely used in the present day. Currently king Kristoffer uses the title of King-Exalt of the Hellonian Realm (Hellonian: Kᛟᚾᛁᛝ-VᛖᚱᚻᛖVᛖᚾᛖ ᚦᛖᚱ ᚻᛖᛚᛚᚨᚾᚦᛖᚱ ᚱᛉK; Koniŋ-Verhevene der Hellander Ryk). The kings and queens of the Hellonian Realm are addressed as 'Your Holy Majesty', whereas princes and princesses are referred to as His or Her Royal Highness, or His or Her Highness.

The customary title for the heir apparent is crown prince or princess. The wife of a crown prince would also receive a corresponding title, but not the husband of a crown princess.

Symbols of the monarchy

Royal emblem

The royal emblem of Hellona

The emblem of the Realm is the official symbol for the Hellonian Realm and its monarch. The symbol is a trefoil knot, known as a valknut (Hellonian: valknoop). Around the edges, there are three more points, making the valknut look like a full triangle. Furthermore, there are three triangles on the slopes of the valknut pointing outwards. It's a symbol that symbolizes the Asieren (gods of Asire) and is mostly associated with Wodan. As the king of Hellona has the religious authority over Asatru, it is also used as a symbol for Asatru, and is as such commonly used by Asatru shrines and temples, or otherwise incorporated into the shrine and temple emblems.

The three extra spikes were added during the age of exploration, with them symbolizing the three ways the Hellonian kingdom expanded. These three spikes would later be given the meaning of being a representation of a specific nation in the Hellonian Realm. The upper one represents the Servos Islands (later also Moundra and Tyrean), the upper-right one Lilotuka Island, the lower-right the Ebure Isles, the lower one Tirpitz and Batavia, the lower-left Norsund and the upper-left the Menako Islands.

Regalia

The royal sword of the Hellonian monarch

The royal regalia of Hellona are kept in the vaults of the Royal Treasury Chamber of the Hellonian Realm. The most important of the regalia are the crown, sword, orb and key. The crown is seen as an official representation of the leadership of the monarch, the sword represents the power of the monarch over his realm, the orb represents the realm itself and its connection to the heavens and the key is a symbol of the connection between the monarch and his peoples.

The only time the regalia are used in the present day is during the coronation of the monarch. They were originally also displayed during the opening of the parliamentary year, but this tradition was abandoned by queen Amalia.

Royal residences

The Royal Palaces, with several of them located outside mainland Hellona, are property of the government of each of the constituent countries. These palaces are at the disposal of the monarch, as arranged by the government of the country. Besides the state-owned property, the Royal Family also has several privately owned properties.

Hellona

Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Owidal as seen from the Andus river

The Royal Palace (Hellonian: KᛟᚾᛁᛝKᛚᛉK ᛋᛚᛟᛏ; Ellandic: Kᚢᛝᛚᛁᚷᚨ ᛋᛚᛟᛏᛏᛖᛏ), also known as the Owidal Palace (Hellonian: ᛟᚹᛁᚦᚨᛚᛖᚱ ᛋᛚᛟᛏ), is the official residence of the monarch. The palace is located in the Royal Game Park in the centre of Owidal, the capital of Hellona.

The offices of the king, other members of the Royal Family, and the offices of the Royal Court are located in the palace. The Royal Palace is used for representative purposes and State occasions by the king. The Royal Palace is guarded by the Order of Free Warriors, a volunteer-only branch of the Hellonian Armed Forces.

The Royal Palace traces its origin back to a fortress in the same location. This fortress was built in the 5th century under king Björn Wodanerson for the defence of central Owidal. This fortress gradually grew to a castle complex that was known as the Wodanerslot. There were many efforts to modernise the complex in later centuries according to Aldstyl and baroque ideas, but these plans never went through due to a fire in the 16th century. This lead to the rebuilding of the Royal Palace in the 16th century according to contemporary ideals.

The current 16th to 17th-century building is located in the Royal Game Park of Owidal (Hellonian: KᛟᚾᛁᛝKᛚᛉKᛖ ᚦᛁᛖᚱᚷᚨᚨᚱᚦᛖ Koniŋklyke diergaarde; Ellandic: Kᚢᛝᛚᛁᚷᚨ ᚦJᚢᚱᚷᚼᚱᚦᛖᚾ Kuŋliga Djurgården) which is located along the Andus river. The park surrounding the complex is accessible to the public, while the palace and its courtyard are only open to the public on certain days, as it is the official residence for the monarch.

Endelborg Castle
Endelborg Castel in Rökavik, Elland

Endelborg Castle is the private residence of the Hellonian Royal Family in Rökavik in Elland. It served as the residence of Kristoffer while he was crown prince, as he studied at the University of Rökavik. It can work as a palace used for state affairs if necessary in case of immediate danger in Owidal. It now often serves as a winter or autumn residence.

It was built in the 16th century as a replacement for the former royal residence in Elland, which originated from the 7th century. King Ulrik found the former castle unsuitable for the Hellonian Royal Family and thus requested architect Tys Erik Janssen to build a new palace complex in the centre of Rökavik. The complex has a courtyard encircled by the servants' wings, with the middle section being the residence for members of the Royal Family. The complex is surrounded by gardens in Aldstyl. The gardens are accessible to the public as long as there are no members of the Royal Family residing in the castle.

The Groenslot, located in the suburbs of Owidal
Groenslot

The Groenslot (literally Green Castle) is one of the smaller residences of the Royal Family in mainland Hellona. The manor house is located just outside Owidal and serves as a summer residence for the Royal Family. It also served as the official residence for crown prince Kristoffer just before his coronation in 1953. The neoclassical house is surrounded by gardens in a late romantic style.

Nowadays the Groenslot and its gardens are open to the public.

Menako Islands

Royal Manor
The Royal Manor in Norstätt

The Royal Manor is the official residence of the monarch on the Menako Islands, located in Norstätt. It serves as a residence for the monarch while he is on the Islands. The estate was originally built in the 17th century for the Governor of the Menako Islands, but was later gifted to the Royal Family.

Due to the fact the monarch mostly lives and works in Owidal, the manor house is open to the public whenever it is not used. It showcases several artistic works owned or created by the Royal Family and as such functions as a museum for most of the year. It also served as the location of the Menakan legislature while Riggenslot was being renovated.

The small gardens surrounding the manor are a popular tourist attraction and is often used to house events.

Norsund

Jagersburg Palace
Jagersburg Palace, the official residence of the monarch in Norsund

The Jagersburg Palace is the official residence of the monarch in Norsund. It is located outside of the Norsunder capital of Kristianshamn. It was built in the late 18th century in order to have a residence for the monarch in Norsund.

In the 19th century, after Norsund was granted home rule in 1869, the palace was given to the Norsunder state. Due to the palace not being in use for most of the year, it was decided it would be used to house the Governor-Minister. In 1898, the Norsunder government decided Jagersburg Palace was once again to be used as a royal residence for the monarch in Norsund. During the other periods, when the monarch was abroad, the palace would be open to the public as a museum.

List of Hellonian monarchs

This is an (incomplete) list of Hellonian monarchs, that is, the kings and queens regnant of Hellona, and later the Hellonian Realm.

Name Portrait Arms Birth Marriages Death Claim
Christina
Christina Eleonora Hilda Eledotter
9 September 1497

7 April 1515
(18 years)
Jacob Ferdinand Voet - Queen Christina of Sweden.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 6 April 1467
Saksenberg
Daughter of lord Anders Tyrsson
and Eleonora
Gustav II
Wodaner Temple
4 December 1485
3 children
10 June 1538
Owidal
aged 71
Wife of king Gustav II
Sigmund II
Sigmond II Resvelgen Ernolf Gustafsson
7 April 1515

8 August 1548
(30 years)
Charles IX of Sweden.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 11 April 1494
Owidal
Son of Gustav II
and Christina
Elena
Wodaner Temple
4 December 1511
5 children
8 August 1548
Owidal
aged 54
Son of king Gustav II
Ulrik
Ulrik Arinmond Siegfried Sigmundson
8 August 1548

1 May 1590
(42 years)
King Charles X Gustavus (Sébastien Bourdon) - Nationalmuseum - 19702.tif Emblem of Hellona.svg 23 July 1518
Owidal
Son of Sigmund II
and Elena
Ulrika
Wodaner Temple
21 October 1538
4 children
1 May 1590
Owidal
aged 72
Son of king Sigmund II
Nicholas I
Nikolaas I Edelmark Neseborn Ukriksson
1 May 1590

8 March 1646
(56 years)
Martin van Meytens (attrib.) - Porträt Kaiser Karl VI.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 8 December 1565
Owidal
Son of Ulrik
and Christina
Ulrika
Wodaner Temple
4 September 1582
4 children
8 March 1646
Owidal
aged 81
Son of king Ulrik
Matthias
Mattias Resvelgen Asieren Nikolson
8 March 1646

5 February 1663
(15 years)
Mengs, Anton Raphael - Pietro Leopoldo d'Asburgo Lorena, granduca di Toscana - 1770 - Prado.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 5 June 1628
Owidal
Son of Nicholas I
and Ulrika
Iduna
Wodaner Temple
10 March 1647
6 children
5 February 1663
Owidal
aged 35
Son of king Nicholas I
Oscar
Oskar Adelgaard Frigg Mattiasson
5 February 1663

12 March 1715
(52 years)
Alexander I of Russia by G.Dawe (1826, Peterhof) crop.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 2 January 1648
Owidal
Son of Mattias
and Iduna
Elisabet
Wodaner Temple
10 March 1673
3 children
12 March 1715
Owidal
aged 67
Son of king Matthias
Christian II
Kristiaan II Agnarr Erik Oskarsson
12 March 1715

25 November 1778
(63 years)
Christian VIII af Wilhelm Marstrand.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 7 September 1702
Owidal
Son of Oscar
and Elisabet
Juliana
Wodaner Temple
10 March 1730
2 children
25 November 1778
Owidal
aged 76
Son of King Oscar
Nicholas II
Nikolaas II Hildebran Erik Krisson
25 November 1778

6 May 1828
(50 years)
Franz Krüger - Portrait of Emperor Nicholas I - WGA12289.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 9 June 1753
Owidal
Son of Christian II
and Juliana
Sonja
Wodaner Temple
10 March 1774
6 children
6 May 1828
Owidal
aged 75
Son of King Christian II
Christian III
Kristiaan III Alexander Siegfried Nikolson
6 May 1828

20 January 1884
(56 years)
Kong Haakon VII.png Emblem of Hellona.svg 16 May 1797
Rökavik Royal Estate
Son of Nicholas II
and Sonja
Alexia
Wodaner Temple
5 August 1805
5 children
20 February 1884
Owidal
aged 87
Son of Nicholas II
Amalia
Amalia Juliana Krisdotter
20 February 1884

11 December 1928
(44 years)
1903 ball - Emma Vlad. Frederix.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 8 January 1849
Owidal
Daughter of Christian III
and Alexia
Charles
Wodaner Temple
3 June 1879
No children
28 May 1934
Owidal
aged 85
Daughter of King Christian III
Estelle
Estelle Elisbet Agnes Amadotter
11 November 1928

7 October 1953
(25 years)
Estelle of Hellona.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 14 December 1889
Owidal
Daughter of Queen Amalia and Prince William
Princess Ingrid Alina
Wodaner Temple
26 July 1930
Living
Age 70 years
Daughter of Queen Amalia
Kristoffer
Kristoffer Seger Esterson
7 October 1953

Present
(7 years)
Kristoffer of Hellona.jpg Emblem of Hellona.svg 18 April 1928
Rökavik
Son of Nicholas Alexander
and Ingrid Bergstrom, adopted by Estelle
Elena of Hellona
Wodaner Temple
20 November 1958
Living
Age 31 years
Adopted son of Queen Estelle