Kristian I of Arendaal

Kristian I of Arendaal 	Kristian I of Arendaal
By the Grace of God, King of all Arendaal 	By the Grace of God, King of all Arendaal
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/r_l_777/jeanlebon.png	http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/r_l_777/jeanlebon.png
King of Arendaal 	King of Arendaal
Reign 	1309 - 1328
Coronation 	1 Feb 1309, Kronstad
Predecessor 	King Sven III
Successor 	Queen Gisela I
 	
Consort 	Ursula of Franken
Birth 	May 1309, Lulea
Death 	31 Aug 1328, Bergen
Father 	King Sven III of Arendaal
Mother 	Immanuelle of Saxony
Issue 	Gisela I of Arendaal
Royal House 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Langsvard
Full Name 	Kristian der Langsvard -Kapét
Religion 	Christian (Catholic)
Buried 	Thorvald Cathedral
OOC 	John II of France
Kristian I of Arendaal ("Kristian the Rich") (1282 - 1328) was the King of Arendaal between 1309 and 1328. He was the son of King Sven III of Arendaal and Princess Immanuelle of Saxony. His famous portrait (right) now on display at the Hermitage Museum, is considered one of the finest examples of 14th century art anywhere in the world. 
As king, Kristian I surrounded himself with able administrators, though unlike his father he was more indulgent of his desire to enjoy the good life his wealth as king brought. 
When he was Crown Prince, he is reputed to have been so liberal in the expenses for the festivities of his wedding to Princess Ursula of Franken that the local counsels imposed restrictions on how much he could spend.
Kristian I was an imposing personality and an able negotiator, as well as a talented general. After his eldest son died, he became increasingly preoccuppied with the betrothal of his eldest daughter Gisela I who was engaged to the heir presumptive of Suionia. The Covenant of Kronstad stipulated that the children of any Aren princess who married a foreign sovereign gave up their right to the Aren throne - however Kristian I was adamant that his grandchildren should inherit his throne.
Thus he engineered an elaborate marriage contract for Gisela I, which in itself is one of the most impressive legal documents of the 14th. Gisela was to remain Queen Regent of Arendaal and of the sons she bore, one would inherit the Aren Crown while the other would become King of Suionia. 
However, Gisela I and her husband had only one son, Edvard II. After their deaths Edvard became ruler of both Kingdoms simultaneously, forging the series of personal unions known as the Union of Bergen (1350-1424) by which both states were ruled by the same monarch.
The King enjoyed literature, and was patron to painters and musicians. His famous portrait, painted specifically as a portrait in the modern sense, is one of the earliest examples of European portraiture and one of the finest examples of 14th century art.
==Family, Marriage and Children==
King Kristian I of Arendaal married Princess Ursula of Franken. Their children included:
*Gisela I of Arendaal (1308 - 1350) – who succeeded her father as ruler in 1328
===Siblings===
*Erika of Arendaal, Countess of Schlesnitz - sister. Consort of the Count of Schlesnitz, mother of Sebastian I von Franken
*Hilda of Arendaal, Queen of Eiffelland – sister. Consort of King Lothar II of Eiffelland
*Alienore of Arendaal, Queen of Montelimar - sister. Consort of Philippe II of Montelimar
===Other Royal Relations===
* King x of Suionia - son-in-law
*Matthias II of Arendaal - great uncle
*Edvard II of Arendaal - grand son
*Richenza of Arendaal, Empress of the Talemantine Empire - grand daughter. Consort of Luciano V of the Talemantine Empire
* Heinrich III von Franken - wife's brother
* Sebastian I von Franken - nephew (sister Erika's son)
==Ancestors==
's ancestors in four generations:
==See Also==
*Monarchs of Arendaal
*Royal Consorts of Arendaal
*History of Arendaal
*Royal Marriages of Arendaal
*House of Nareath
*Arendaal
Kapétien Dynasty House of Langsvard 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Langsvard 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Langsvard
Aren Regnal Titles 	Aren Regnal Titles 	Aren Regnal Titles
Preceded by King Sven III 1280 - 1309	King of Arendaal 1309 - 1328 	Succeeded by Queen Gisela I 1328 – 1350
Preceded by King Sven III 1280 - 1309	Prince of Norseberg 1309 - 1328 	Succeeded by Queen Gisela I 1328 – 1350
Preceded by King Sven III 1280 - 1309	Grand Duke of Emyn Arnen 1309 - 1328	Succeeded by Queen Gisela I 1328 – 1350
Aren Royalty 	Aren Royalty 	Aren Royalty
Preceded by King Sven III 	Crown Prince of Arendaal 1282 - 1309	Succeeded by Queen Gisela I
Category: Historical Royals of Arendaal
Category: Historical Figures