Succession Crisis of 1713
The Succession Crisis of 1713 is a political event that began with the sudden and unexpected death of Johann IV, High King of the Anglo-Saksen Commonwealth in 1713.3. Anglo-Saksen traditions specifically cite that the throne must pass to a male heir. At the time of his death, Johann IV was without a male child, having had four daughters instead. This sent the commonwealth into a state of political turmoil as the various Kings met at the Kingsmoot to debate who or how succession to the throne should be handled, going so far as to reach the brink of civil war.
The Death of Johann IV
The High King had taken ill unexpectedly after an evening meal and initially reported having an upset stomach. Retiring for the evening to bed, he died in his sleep and was discovered by his wife in the morning. Although foul play was suspected, a subsequent autopsy and investigation proved no outside influence was involved. The doctors reported that the King had been suffering from sepsis due to untreated ulcers which had become infected. Had he sought treatment earlier, his life may have been saved. But his untimely death, leaving no male heir to the throne, sent the commonwealth into turmoil. Harold V of Jutien, who was the King's uncle through his mother's side, wasted no time in issuing a claim to the throne. This claim was immediately refuted by the other Kings, some of which began to formulate their own claims. Arguments became so heated that some even began to lobby threats of war and secession, threatening the very fabric of the commonwealth.
The Death of Orion II
The Grand Duke of Lac Glacei, Orion II, peacefully but ironically passed away at the age of 103 on the same date as Johann IV. Unlike their northern neighbors however, the Lac Glaceians had a male heir in Augustin, Orion's eldest son. In a peaceful transition the former Grand Duke was laid to rest in the family vaults and Augustin was sworn in as Grand Duke a day later in a somber but hopeful ceremony. The situation in Angsax to the north however, and the looming threat of a civil war, soon became the pretext for the new Grand Duke's first diplomatic mission. So in 1713.4 he travelled to Johannsessbuurg to meet with Angsax royalty and offer Lac Glacei's help in resolving the situation.
A Meeting of Chance
Grand Duke Augustin's arrival in Johannsessbuurg was greeted by a throng of officials all vying for the attention of the monarch. The main objective of the Lac Glaceian leader was to calm tensions and find a navigable path to succession for the commonwealth. It was by pure chance that Augustin was seated in deep conversation with the Anglo-Saksen kings when Johanns IV's daughter Ilse entered the room to offer her own thoughts on the the issue of succession. An immediate chemistry was evident when the Grand Duke met the Princess and while negotiations continued for several weeks the two began a romantic relationship. As time went on a possible means of resolution presented itself in the form of combining the royal houses.
After providing various concessions and provisions to the Anglo-Saksen kingdoms, it was agreed that Augustin would wed Ilse, whereby she would become Grand Duchess of Lac Glacei and Queen of the Anglo-Saksens, while Augustin himself would assume the title of King of the Anglo-Saksens. The commonwealth would be absorbed into Lac Glacei without any alteration to the political status of the kingdoms, while higher executive functions such as defense and foreign affairs would be assumed by Lac Glacei. Thus in 1713.9 the union of Augustin and Ilse was celebrated along with the union of Lac Glacei and Angsax.
