Franz Joseph I, Rudolphine Protecter

Franz Joseph I
Franz Joseph (portrait by Klemens Gustloff, 1710)
Rudolphine Protector (more...) King of the Weranics Duke of Upper Cislania Duke of Lower Cislania Prince of the Neeves
Reign	25 June 1687 - 5 May 1718
Coronation	17 August 1632, Westbrücken
Predecessor	Otto IX
Successor	Maximilian II
Born	(1650-07-22)22 July 1650 Wiesstadt, Cislania
Died	5 May 1718(1718-05-05) (aged 67) Bergen, Cislania
Burial	Royal Crypt
Spouse	tba
Issue Detail	Maximilian II Duchess Maria Louise Duchess Claudia Josepha
Full name Georg Emmanuel Franz Josef Ludwig
House	Schwarzollen
Father	Otto IX
Mother	tba
Religion	Solarian Catholicism

Franz Joseph I (full name: Georg Emmanuel Franz Josef Ludwig; 22 July 1650-5 May 1718, aged 67) was the Rudolphine Protector, Duke of Upper and Lower Cislania and Prince of the Neeves from 1687 to his death. The second son of Otto IX Franz Joseph I would attempt to continue his fathers ambitious absolutist centralisation but by doing so would ultimately trigger the Ten Years' War which still ongoing by the time of his death would almost lead to the destruction of the Rudolphine Confederation.

A strong believer in the Ottotinan absolutism that had seen the abolition of noble privileges, the dissolution of the Reichsrat and the suppression of Azmara Franz Joseph I would come to encourage the further consolidation of the Rudolphine Confederation as the pre-eminent great power in northern Euclea. Under his rule the power of the nobility declined further and power further centralised into his royal court that became known as one of the most extravagant of Euclea. Unlike his father Franz Joseph I took a more liberal view towards religious minorities scaling back the dragonaden policy against Amendists.

In foreign affairs Franz Joseph I supported the continuation of Rudolphine hegemony in north Euclea. To this end he sought to prevent an alliance between Kirenia and Estmere whilst remaining vigilant against Soravian expansionism. Franz Joseph I attempted to come to an accommodation with Gaullica but failed in this effort.

In 1711 the death of the King of the United Kingdom of Ruttland and Aucuria meant that the succession of the Ruttish throne became divided between the Cislanian and Kirenian thrones. The dispute led to the War of the Ruttish Succession that would spiral into the Ten Years' War; not only did Kirenia and Soravia declare war on the confederation but members of the confederation such as Wittislich and Azmara would also join. Franz Joseph I was ultimately unable to meet his political objectives despite both Estmere and the Vespasian League supporting the Confederation; the entry of Gaullica into the conflict in 1717 would led to the Confederation to face increasing military defeat and political unrest. Franz Joseph I died suddenly in 1718 after Rudolphine forces had occupied Ruttland.

Franz Joseph Is reputation is largely seen as negative; his opponents often portrayed him as a despot being buffoonish at best and brutish at worst. His defenders often lionised him as a brave monarch with a clear sense of purpose undermined by a neurotic personality.