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. 1890–1897); 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 Maritime FC, then called Imperial Navy AFC. In his role as chairman of the IFA he donated King Richard's Shield, a silver and bronze shield decorated with the heraldry of Vionna-Frankenlisch, to the Association - giving Vionna-Frankenlisch its first national football competition played between the winners of the fourteen regional leagues. Nowadays the shield is contested between the winner of the Crown League and the winner of the National Cup.
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 Harold, 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.
Richard's first posting was to Imperial Naval Base Hansmiff in October 1884 to command shore batteries, an odd placement for a new and highborn officer. Richard's suspicions were that he was placed there, Hansmiff being not far from Frankenlisch, to ensure his safety. A brief correspondance with the Queen and palace staff confirmed this and, folllowing a furious message from Richard, the order was revoked. After only twelve days as commander of Hansmiff's shore defences, Richard was recalled to the Admiralty for reserve duties. He spent another three weeks at the Admiralty, socialising with other half pay officers and playing sports to keep his health strong.
Soon enough, Richard was posted to a ship, the battleship HMNS Majesty. He commanded the ship's forward turret and was noted as an efficient officer, an intellectual but poor at observing military discipline. He did not see combat aboard Majesty and the lack of sporting opportunity harmed his fragile health. He was recalled from HMNS Majesty in May 1886 on grounds of health and spent some time recuperating in Agrea.
Eventually, Richard was appointed to a second ship, becoming first officer of the cruiser Resonant in April 1887. Long strolls on the deck, half an hour of jogging everyday and a good diet kept him in reasonable health but his service was again marked with weakness. He was aboard Resonant during the Essyrian Emergency, served in the Bombardment of Salorka, and took part in the Battle off Adienea. During that battle he was wounded by shell splinter from long-range Prodavan gunnery and this essentially ended his naval career. He was promoted to Commander for his actions in the battle but was discharged before he could take up command of a ship. A minor infection to his wound, a long tear down his left leg, caused his third bout of potentially deadly illness. Only by a strict regimen of medication and hygine was he able to survive and a strong diet was imposed to build his strength back up. He was able to take a minor role in sports and public events by his 25th birthday in September 1889 but was still weak and never returned to a military career.
Marriage to Ysolda of Wolfswood
Most royals of the era married whilst still very young and it was not unknown for Vionna-Frankenlischian royals from some parts of the region to have children while still under a regency. Richard, partly due to his health, did not marry for some time. His naval service meant he was absent from court for several years and unable to attend the debutante balls in Frankenlisch. The first major foreign event he was able to attend was the negotiations and ceremonies surrounding the Summit of Waldkopfstadt in February 1890. At this occasion, a major step in the path towards Imperial-Wolfswooder integration, he was recieved very favourably by the Wolfswooder court and became fast friends with Emperor Johann.
Richard's younger brother Harold was a notorious womaniser and no suitable match was found for him. Significant pressure was therefore placed on Richard, still heir to the throne in spite of his health, to marry before he became King. A suitable match was finally discovered in Ysolda, the daughter of the Wolfswooder Emperor. The two met during the latter stages of the Summit of Waldkopfstadt and began corresponding once the summit had ended. In the style of high courtships of the day, the process was short and uncomplicated. There were several visits between the two and, in late 1890, Richard proposed marriage and was accepted. A date was arranged for the ceremony and, as they had become a recent couple, the pair lived together for several months in advance of the official marriage. Richard and Ysolda spent this time at Kamoine House, the royal residence in Kamoine Valley, the only extended time they had together before the wedding.