House of Vicuña
 Coat of Arms | |
| Country |  Nouvelle Alexandrie
|
| Founded | 1687 AN (ducal elevation) |
| Founder | Philippe Vicuña |
| Current head | Charles Vicuña |
| Titles | Duke of Sonoma |
| Seat |  Palacio Sonoma, Sonoma
|
| Estates | Sonoma, South Lyrica |
| Cadet branches | House of Tupac (through marriage) |
| Religion | Church of Alexandria |
| Ethnicity | Alexandrian |
The House of Vicuña (Alexandrian: Maison de Vicuña; Martino: Casa de Vicuña) is a New Alexandrian noble family of Alexandrian origin, holding the hereditary title of Duke of Sonoma. The family rose to prominence through the New Prosperity Plan settlement companies and the founding of the city of Benavides on the Islas de Lyrica in 1687 AN.
The house was founded by Philippe Vicuña, an Alexandrian merchant and investor who survived the Great Scattering of 1651 AN and rebuilt his fortune through trade in Natopia and later Alduria. His substantial investment in the settlement of South Lyrica and personal leadership of the Benavides founding expedition led to his elevation to the peerage as the 1st Duke of Sonoma. The family is connected to the royal family through the marriage of Ana María Vicuña to Prince Tupac, Count of Arequipa, in 1690 AN.
The current head of the house is Charles Vicuña, 3rd Duke of Sonoma, grandson of the founder.
History
Alexandrian origins
The Vicuña family traces its origins to the Empire of the Alexandrians, where they were established as merchants in the port city of Puerto Nuevo on Tapfer. The family had built a modest trading enterprise over several generations, specializing in the maritime transport of goods between Tapfer and Eura. Philippe Vicuña, born in 1638 AN, was the only son of merchants who operated a small fleet of coastal trading vessels.
The collapse of the Empire of the Alexandrians in 1651 AN due to the Alexandrian Flu brought catastrophe to the Vicuña family, as it did to millions of Alexandrians across Micras. Philippe Vicuña, then thirteen years old, lost both parents to the plague. He survived alongside an uncle who managed to secure passage on one of the last ships departing Puerto Nuevo before the city fell into chaos. The experience of the Great Scattering left a lasting impression on Philippe, who would later describe it as "the end of one world and the beginning of another."
Establishment in Natopia and Alduria
Philippe Vicuña and his uncle settled among the Alexandrian refugee communities in Natopia, where Philippe came of age and learned the shipping trade. Drawing on his family's maritime background, he established a small trading company in his twenties that transported goods between Natopian ports and the emerging settlements on the Euran coast.
Through his commercial ventures, Philippe made regular voyages to Punta Santiago, a growing settlement on the Euran coast that attracted Alexandrian and Caputian refugees seeking to build new lives. It was during one of these voyages in the early 1660 ANs that he met Marguerite de Montclair, daughter of a family of financiers who would become founding backers of the Societe General d'Alduria. The couple married in 1664 AN in Natopia, where Philippe maintained his primary residence and business operations.
The Vicuñas' first two children, Jean-Philippe (b. 1665 AN) and Isabelle (b. 1667 AN), were born in Natopia. As the Societe General d'Alduria organized in 1669 AN and Alduria was formally founded in 1670 AN, Philippe saw opportunity in the new nation. The Montclair family's involvement in the Societe General provided connections that facilitated Philippe's relocation. By late 1668 AN, the family had established residence in Punta Santiago, where their third child, Ana María, was born in 1669 AN. Two more children, Louis (b. 1671 AN) and Catherine (b. 1673 AN), were born after Alduria's formal founding.
Philippe's business acumen and willingness to take calculated risks allowed his shipping company to expand rapidly during the 1670 ANs and early 1680 ANs. By the time of the federation's formation in 1685 AN, Philippe Vicuña had become one of the wealthiest merchants in Punta Santiago.
Settlement of South Lyrica
The New Prosperity Plan, launched by the federal government to expand Nouvelle Alexandrie's territory between 1687 AN and 1693 AN, presented Philippe Vicuña with the opportunity that would define his legacy. He became one of the principal investors in the settlement companies organized to develop South Lyrica, contributing a substantial portion of his personal fortune to the venture.
Unlike many investors who remained in Alduria, Philippe chose to lead the founding expedition to the Islas de Lyrica, a chain of islands off the southern coast of South Lyrica near Islas de la Libertad. In 1687 AN, he personally oversaw the establishment of a settlement on the largest island, which he named Benavides after his business partner Rodrigo Benavides, who had died during the voyage. The settlement was strategically positioned to serve as a port linking the Lyrican islands with the mainland.
Philippe invested heavily in the new city's infrastructure, funding the construction of harbor facilities, warehouses, and the Benavides Academy, one of the first educational institutions in the newly settled territories. His vision for Benavides extended beyond mere commercial interests; he sought to create a permanent community that would attract families and professionals from across the federation.
Elevation to the peerage
In recognition of his role in founding Benavides and his substantial investment in the settlement of South Lyrica, Philippe Vicuña was elevated to the peerage as the 1st Duke of Sonoma in 1687 AN. The ducal title was named for the port city of Sonoma in South Lyrica, where the family established their principal estate. The elevation made the Vicuñas one of the first families to receive a ducal title through the settlement company ventures, setting a precedent for the ennoblement of successful investors and founders.
Following the establishment of Benavides, Philippe relocated his family from Punta Santiago to the new city in 1688 AN. He continued to direct the settlement's development until his death in 1718 AN, by which time Benavides had grown into a prosperous port city and the commercial center of the Islas de Lyrica.
Later generations
Jean-Philippe Vicuña, eldest son of the founder, succeeded as the 2nd Duke of Sonoma upon his father's death in 1718 AN. He had served as his father's principal deputy in managing the Sonoma estates and continued the family's tradition of investment in South Lyrican development. The 2nd Duke expanded the family's agricultural holdings in Sonoma and established vineyards that would become renowned.
The 2nd Duke died in 1740 AN, and was succeeded by his son Charles Vicuña, the current head of the house. The 3rd Duke has maintained the family's commercial and philanthropic activities while also serving in various civic capacities in South Lyrica.
Notable members
Philippe Vicuña, 1st Duke of Sonoma
Philippe Vicuña (1638 AN-1718 AN) was the founder of the House of Vicuña and the 1st Duke of Sonoma. An Alexandrian refugee who survived the Great Scattering, he rebuilt his family's fortune through shipping and trade in Natopia and Alduria. His investment in the New Prosperity Plan settlement companies and personal leadership of the Benavides founding expedition led to his elevation to the peerage. He is remembered as one of the principal founders of South Lyrica's settled territories.
Ana María Vicuña
Ana María Vicuña (1669 AN-1738 AN) was the third child of the 1st Duke of Sonoma and the most prominent member of the family in public life. A pioneering journalist and news anchor, she became one of the first female broadcasters on the National Broadcasting Corporation. Her marriage to Prince Tupac, Count of Arequipa, connected the House of Vicuña to the royal family and established the House of Tupac as a cadet branch. She converted to the Faith of Inti upon her marriage and was interred at the Holy Chapel of the Sun in Arequipa.
Jean-Philippe Vicuña, 2nd Duke of Sonoma
Jean-Philippe Vicuña (1665 AN-1740 AN) was the eldest child of the 1st Duke and succeeded to the title in 1718 AN. Born in Natopia before the family's relocation to Alduria, he was raised in Punta Santiago and later Benavides. He expanded the family's agricultural holdings in Sonoma. He married Lady Céleste Arnaud of Alduria in 1688 AN and had three children.
Titles and holdings
Duke of Sonoma
The Duke of Sonoma is the primary title of the House of Vicuña, created by King Manco Cápac I in 1687 AN for Philippe Vicuña. The title carries a grandeeship, entitling the holder to the style of The Most Excellent Lord or Lady. As a ducal title, it ranks among the highest in the New Alexandrian peerage.
Holders of the title:
- Philippe Vicuña (1687 AN-1718 AN)
- Jean-Philippe Vicuña (1718 AN-1740 AN)
- Charles Vicuña (1740 AN-present)
Estates
The principal seat of the House of Vicuña is Palacio Sonoma, located in the port city of Sonoma in South Lyrica. The palace was constructed between 1690 AN and 1702 AN on lands granted with the ducal title. The estate encompasses vineyards, orchards, and agricultural lands that form the basis of the family's wealth.
The family also maintains properties in Benavides, including the original merchant house established by the 1st Duke and commercial properties in the harbor district. A residence in Punta Santiago serves as the family's connection to the Aldurian capital.
Connection to the royal family
The House of Vicuña is connected to the House of Inti-Carrillo through the marriage of Ana María Vicuña to Prince Tupac, Count of Arequipa, in 1690 AN. This marriage established the House of Tupac as a cadet branch of the royal house, with the descendants of Ana María and Prince Tupac included in the line of succession to the throne.
The current Count of Arequipa is the grandson of the 1st Duke of Sonoma through his daughter Ana María. This connection gives the House of Vicuña a unique position among the New Alexandrian nobility as a family with direct ties to the royal line, though the Vicuña main line itself holds no claim to succession.
Members of the House of Vicuña are regularly invited to major royal occasions. The 3rd Duke of Sonoma attended the Wedding of Crown Princess Sayari and Prince Janus in XII.1750 AN alongside his cousin, the Count of Arequipa.
Religion
The House of Vicuña adheres to the Church of Alexandria, the Nazarene tradition maintained by the Alexandrian diaspora. The family has maintained this faith since the Great Scattering, and the 1st Duke was a patron of the Church of Alexandria congregation established in Benavides.
The family chapel at Palacio Sonoma is dedicated to St. Helena and serves as the burial place for members of the main Vicuña line. The 1st Duke and his wife Marguerite de Montclair are interred there, as is the 2nd Duke.
Ana María Vicuña, the most prominent member of the family, converted to the Faith of Inti upon her marriage to Prince Tupac in 1690 AN. Her conversion was a formal requirement for marriage into the royal family, and she raised her children in the Intian faith. She is buried at the Holy Chapel of the Sun in Arequipa alongside her husband, rather than in the family chapel at Palacio Sonoma.
Philanthropy
The House of Vicuña has maintained a tradition of philanthropy since the founding of Benavides. Major initiatives include:
- The Benavides Academy (founded 1687 AN): One of the first educational institutions in the newly settled territories of South Lyrica, established by the 1st Duke as part of his vision for the city.
- The Vicuña Shipping Scholarships (established 1705 AN): A fund providing educational support to children of sailors and dockworkers in Benavides, endowed by the 1st Duke in his later years.
- The Sonoma Agricultural Trust (established 1725 AN): A foundation created by the 2nd Duke to support farming families around the port city of Sonoma and in the Islas de Lyrica, and to promote agricultural innovation across South Lyrica.
The Vicuña School of Journalism, founded by Ana María Vicuña in 1715 AN, is associated with the family but operates independently under its own endowment.
Family tree
- Philippe Vicuña, 1st Duke of Sonoma (b. 1638 AN, d. 1718 AN) m. (1664 AN) Marguerite de Montclair (b. 1642 AN, d. 1712 AN)
- Jean-Philippe Vicuña, 2nd Duke of Sonoma (b. 1665 AN, d. 1740 AN) m. (1688 AN) Lady Céleste Arnaud (b. 1668 AN, d. 1745 AN)
- Lady Isabelle Vicuña (b. 1667 AN) m. (1686 AN) Count Armand de Belleville (b. 1662 AN)
- Ana María Vicuña, Countess consort of Arequipa (b. 1669 AN, d. 1738 AN) m. (1690 AN) Prince Tupac, Count of Arequipa (b. 1667 AN, d. 1742 AN)
- Poma Tupac, Count of Arequipa (b. 1691 AN)
- Lady Yma Tupac (b. 1693 AN)
- Lady Chasca Tupac (b. 1695 AN, d. 1750 AN)
- Lord Louis Vicuña (b. 1671 AN, d. 1738 AN) m. (1695 AN) Antoinette Mercier (b. 1674 AN)
- Lady Catherine Vicuña (b. 1673 AN) m. (1694 AN) Baron Gaspard Leclerc (b. 1670 AN)
See also
- Ana María Vicuña
- House of Tupac
- Prince Tupac
- Benavides
- Islas de Lyrica
- South Lyrica
- Settlement companies
- New Prosperity Plan
- Nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie
- The Great Scattering
