Ulrich of Jehnidy

Lord of the Jehnidy (416-433VC)
 Predecessor: Hejnrik II 
 Succesor: Tomas the Bold
INTRODUCTION
Ulrich of Jehnidy (369-433VC) was the Lord of the Jehnidy between 416 and his death in 433. During his tenure he supported Prokop the Bad's contest for the Loren throne and helped restore the Jehnidy court to normality following his cousin, Hejnrik II's death in 416.
EARLY LIFE
Ulrich of Jehnidy was born to Wilk the Tall and Bjagota of Liscerk in 369. Ulrich was an older cousin to Hejnrik II, son of Mattheas the Magnificent. He made friends with Gerhard of Jehnidy after meeting (and beating) him at sporting events between the Honas and Jehnidy families. Like Gerhard he was tutored by Matz of Kelau.
HEJNRIK II'S CAPTURE
Hejnrik II was captured at the end of the War of the Golden Seat at Eshkonitze in 413. Hejnrik's marriage with Emma of Korchenoy had dissolved and no heir produced. Whilst Hejnrik was imprisoned, Ulrich was elected to be regent. When Hejnrik died in captivity but 3 years later Ulrich took full control. 
EARLY CHALLENGES (413-417)
Ulrich faced the daunting prospect of re-organizing his court and armies after the loss at Eshkonitze and Hejnrik's capture and absence. In 415 a notable Lord named Fridomund of Vičkona revolted against Ulrich in favour of Jan the Wise of Joraje who had beaten Hejnrik but 2 years before. Ulrich sieged the castle of Vičkonenburk for 2 months before offering Fridomund mercy in return for an oath of permanent fealty. Fridomund accepted and Jehnidy control over it's lands was re-asserted. Ulrich's early administration efforts helped him raise funds and secure the loyalty of his vassals so that none would gravitate towards the Loren. Despite being dealt a bad hand by Hejnrik, Ulrich was competent and clever in navigating his court matters, however to fund his reforms he had to sell off a number of important silver mines to the Horak family under Gurtred of Glostok.
SUPPORT FOR PROKOP THE BAD
In 417, the death of Jan the Wise destabilised the Loren family as the heir Ankred of Lorenvald was deemed too young to rule independently. Bruno of Rund was chosen over Jan's own brother Prokop the Bad of Nidyitz which outraged Prokop. Keen to create divides in the ruling house, Ulrich and his Honas ally Gerhard of Vitep supplied troops to, funded and supplied Prokop in his effort to install himself. Prokop's successes at Rojmberk (419), Noršof (420) and the Battle of Vernberk (422) relied heavily on Jehnidy reinforcements and funding as Prokop had his holdings seized by Bruno in 420. The capture of Bruno of Rund at Vernberk greatly benefited Ulrich as it destabilized the Loren family and pushed powerful individuals like Janik the Blonde of Eruda and Gurtred of Glostok further from the Loren sphere of Influence.
OPPOSITION TO ANKRED OF LORENVALD
Ankred's regency unofficially ended in 422 with Bruno's capture. Ankred was a spontaneous and decisive character which made him dangerous to the slow political game of influence expansion Ulrich desired. Prokop the Bad's mediocre performance at the Battle of Nabom Mill in 424 meant Prokop could not establish a foothold until 429 when his attempt to create a stronghold at Sahnbroch was foiled by Zebyslo of Horalom and Ankred. Prokop's embarassing and costly defeat at the Siege of Sahnbroch and resultant Battle of Zabuch made him reliant on Ulrich and Gerhard. For Ulrich this meant if he could install Prokop as a figurehead, Ulrich could potentially rule all of Joraje.
OPPOSITION TO CHENEK OF LORENVALD
Ankred's unexpected death in 431 was equalized by Gerhard's death in that same year. Prokop was then entirely reliant on Ulrich for support as the Honas family split into two. Prokop made little progress at all after the shock of Ankred's death where some gains were made in Karred. The new Joran duke Chenek offered little opposition but failures to coordinate any major campaign between Prokop and Ulrich meant that the Loren Succession Crisis came to a standstill.
DEATH, SUCCESSION AND LEGACY
In 433, a 64 year old Ulrich was bed bound and ill. He chose his son, Tomas to be his successor and died but 2 weeks later of pneumonia. Tomas the Bold's arrogance and rashness would prove to cause the end of the Loren succession crisis in 435 when both Tomas and Prokop died at the Second Siege of Lorenvald. Ulrich's legacy would be one of a competent administrator and strategic ruler of a semi-independent Jehnidy family who helped ensure the longevity of Jehnidy power after Hejnrik II's defeat at Eshkonitze.