Post by Catonia Majora on Jan 30, 2013 21:09:30 GMT -5
The Evolution of a Nation
Little is documented about the prehistory of Catonia, but archeological digs in Diascara Province, under the auspices of Duchess University have discovered remains of cliff dwellings holding stone age tools of early bands of nomadic hunter gatherers.
Recorded history of Catonia dates from 500 C.E., when King Achior the Wise united the clans of the nation under his flag. The House of Achior ruled Catonia through eight generations, finally losing its hold on the throne in 1043 when King Acheus the Younger died with no viable heirs.
The first War of the Thrones began with Acheus' death as four distant relatives pressed their claims to the throne. The war lasted for nearly 30 years and claimed thousands of Catonian lives. The Battle Ortean Bridge ended the war, as forces led by The House of Nafalia were soundly routed by The House of Revanon. Revanese leadership was brief, holding power for just 5 generations until 1300, when the Northern Rebellion began and soon spread through the nation, culminating in the arrest and execution of King Relantor the Vile on November 17.
A long period of relative anarchy ensued as power consolidated into numerous, continually warring fiefdoms. This dark age lasted 250 years, until three Great Houses, the House of Nordinoa in the North, The House of Eilonver in the Southern Coastal Mountains, and The House of Catonia in the Central Plains rose to claim the Grand Throne. In the War of the Three Houses, each Great House had many victories, but just as many defeats. Ultimately, the House of Eilonver and Catonia was established when King Eilonver was wed to Princess Calonia, establishing the Grand House of Eilo-Catonia, which controlled the vast majority of modern day Catonia. Forced to settle when they were pressed into a narrow crescent of land along the north coast, the House of Nordinoa, conceded the throne in 1500, supporting the Kingship of The House of Eilo-Catonia.
Eilonver was only able to hold the Crown for 3 years however, dying in 1503, leaving his wife, Queen Calonia on the throne. When Queen Calonia died in 1513, the Battle of Dukes began, as the Queen's triplet sons all vied for the empty throne. All three dukes died in the ensuing battle, leaving the throne to their sister, Grand Duchess Eilowen I. Using the precident set by the Battle of the Dukes, Eilowen established the Matriarchal line of succession, passing the throne to the oldest female progeny of the ruling Grand Duchess.
This arrangement has stabilized government in Catonia Majora leaving the House of Eilowen on the Throne of Catonia since 1513, continuing to the current Grand Duchess, Eilowen of Catonia IX.
Little is documented about the prehistory of Catonia, but archeological digs in Diascara Province, under the auspices of Duchess University have discovered remains of cliff dwellings holding stone age tools of early bands of nomadic hunter gatherers.
Recorded history of Catonia dates from 500 C.E., when King Achior the Wise united the clans of the nation under his flag. The House of Achior ruled Catonia through eight generations, finally losing its hold on the throne in 1043 when King Acheus the Younger died with no viable heirs.
The first War of the Thrones began with Acheus' death as four distant relatives pressed their claims to the throne. The war lasted for nearly 30 years and claimed thousands of Catonian lives. The Battle Ortean Bridge ended the war, as forces led by The House of Nafalia were soundly routed by The House of Revanon. Revanese leadership was brief, holding power for just 5 generations until 1300, when the Northern Rebellion began and soon spread through the nation, culminating in the arrest and execution of King Relantor the Vile on November 17.
A long period of relative anarchy ensued as power consolidated into numerous, continually warring fiefdoms. This dark age lasted 250 years, until three Great Houses, the House of Nordinoa in the North, The House of Eilonver in the Southern Coastal Mountains, and The House of Catonia in the Central Plains rose to claim the Grand Throne. In the War of the Three Houses, each Great House had many victories, but just as many defeats. Ultimately, the House of Eilonver and Catonia was established when King Eilonver was wed to Princess Calonia, establishing the Grand House of Eilo-Catonia, which controlled the vast majority of modern day Catonia. Forced to settle when they were pressed into a narrow crescent of land along the north coast, the House of Nordinoa, conceded the throne in 1500, supporting the Kingship of The House of Eilo-Catonia.
Eilonver was only able to hold the Crown for 3 years however, dying in 1503, leaving his wife, Queen Calonia on the throne. When Queen Calonia died in 1513, the Battle of Dukes began, as the Queen's triplet sons all vied for the empty throne. All three dukes died in the ensuing battle, leaving the throne to their sister, Grand Duchess Eilowen I. Using the precident set by the Battle of the Dukes, Eilowen established the Matriarchal line of succession, passing the throne to the oldest female progeny of the ruling Grand Duchess.
This arrangement has stabilized government in Catonia Majora leaving the House of Eilowen on the Throne of Catonia since 1513, continuing to the current Grand Duchess, Eilowen of Catonia IX.
