Louis IX of Glorinel

**Duchies:**
Duke of Graif
Duke of Dirgel
Duke of Gornest

**Lordships:**
Lord of Coden
Lord of Dynan

**Counties:**
Count of Hafan
Count of Brith
Count of Gwer
Count of Eryr
Count of Aderyn
Count of Hebog

**Viscounties:**
Viscount of Halwyn
Viscount of Oren

**Baronies:**
Baron of Black Oaks

**Additional:**
Keeper of the Rock and the Sceptre
Standard Bearer of Cheunant

**Louis IX** was the Archduke of Glorinel and the ruler of various other realms in High Rock.

## **Character**

The *Patchwork Prince* was a man of singular focus: industry in ambition. He despised the slovenly and the slow, enforcing his own diligence and rigour among his subjects. *‘Inactivity has become treason,’* complained an imperial official. Louis devoted himself to the worship of Zenithar, promoting priests who belonged to the order of the God of Work.

This conviction to labour in the pursuit of good rule distracted Louis from all other parts of his life. The Archduke’s wife protested his commitment to the realm, which so often trumped his commitment to her. Louis rarely met with any of his children, instead writing them from afar and even then only occasionally. His other relations, such as his sister in the Kingdom of Torlan, could scant hope for any attention at all.

Louis was kind to the best of his subjects, showering rank and riches on men of merit. Conversely, the worst (or simply those he was convinced against) could expect a terrible wrath. The nobility were not above punishment and Louis was quick to do away with those whose use he believed spent. Although he imagined himself a fairer lord than his predecessors, Louis was for many undeniably a tyrant.

## **Titles**

Louis ruled concurrently over many territories across High Rock, some as sovereign and others as subject. His titles ranged from baronies to principalities. Louis was additionally the de facto master of Cheunant, holding the office of Standard Bearer.

The Archduke was formally styled:

*'His Highness Louis the Ninth, by the grace of the Divines, Archduke of Glorinel, Prince in Corstir, Duke of Graif, of Dirgel, of Gornest, Lord of Coden, of Dynan, Count of Hafan, of Brith, of Gwer, of Eryr, of Aderyn, of Hebog, Viscount of Halwyn, of Oren, Baron of Black Oaks, Keeper of the Rock and the Sceptre, Standard Bearer of Cheunant.'*

### **Republic of Cheunant**

In Cheunant, feudalism and traditional nobility were essentially extinct, destroyed in the birth of the Republic. There was no King to whom fealty was owed and all free citizens of the Republic were at least formally equal. A de facto aristocracy did exist, however, and particular families came to dominate the politics of the city. One such family was the House of Peronne, who held the Principality of Corstir.

The Peronnes became de facto masters of Cheunant in the Third Era as the office of Standard Bearer passed from one Prince of Corstir to the next virtually without interruption. Louis inherited this via mother. Although not a nobleman *of* Cheunant, he (like his forebears) was recognised as a nobleman *in* Cheunant and was addressed as Prince.

Louis was supported by the Prince Party. In particular, Simon Gardanne proved vital to the upkeep of his power there. The Prince entrusted Gardanne with the management of his affairs in the Republic and relied upon him to secure control of the Council of Gentlemen.

## **Marriage and Issue**

In 3E 270, Louis married Princess Kintyra Septim.

At this time, Louis was the Prince of Corstir and independent from his father. Despite this, his marriage was understood to be a union between Glorinel and the Ruby Throne. The wedding was said to be the most expensive in High Rock and was attended by some thousands.

The union of Louis and Kintyra concluded the restoration of good relations between the House of Contoire and the House of Septim, a project more than a decade in the making. The support the Archduke of Glorinel (not Louis but his father) gave Andorak until he was forced to defect to the victorious Cephorus II in 3E 255 was finally forgiven.

By Kintyra, Louis fathered three children:

* Elisabeth, *named for her great-grandmother* (born 3E 272)
* Louis, *named for the Archduke* (born 3E 274)
* Uriel, *named for the Emperor* (born 3E 276)