Irina Alexandrovna of Lenzkirschia

Irina of Lenzkirschia, by John Bolton-Bakersfield

**Irina Alexandrovna Nanyenska, Duchess of Firehill** (Oberten, 9 May 1272 – Firehill, 24 November 1371) was the second child and first daughter of Emperor Alexander III of Lenzkirschia and Empress Feodora Matveievna (Princess Batyra of North Hulach). She was Duchess of Firehill as the wife of Alexander Amaral, 47th Duke of Firehill. She was the younger sister of Emperor Gabriel IV and older sister of Prince Michael of Lenzkirschia, Empress Maria of New Valyria, Empress Helena of Nimeji, Catherine, Princess Consort of Ghoyan Drohe and Peter, Prince Consort of Sarnor.

## Early life

Irina was born in 12 July 1329, at Gavril Imperial Palace, the imperial residence in Oberten, Lenzkirschia, to Emperor Alexander III and Empress Feodora Matveievna (Princess Batyra of North Hulach).

## Engagement

Irina was 20 years old when she went to Westeros as a companion to her sister, 17 years old Princess Maria, who was to be wed to the Prince of the Dragonmont, second in line to the Iron Throne. On her first week in Westeros she became acquainted with Alexander Amaral, Viscount Crownstars, a member of Queen Halaena's court and close friend to the prince. The pair did not care much for one another at first, but slowly grew to respect and eventually like one another. Shortly after a year had passed since her arrival, rumors started circulating at court that Irina and Alexander were having an affair. Regardless of the veracity of such information, Alexander travelled to Oberten and was received by Emperor Alexander III in June 1293.

Resistance to the match was imposed by the Lenzkirschi Parliament on the grounds of the inferior status the princess and her descendants would possess and the consequent need for their exclusion from the Imperial Family and line to the Throne. Alexander III himself had to appear before Parliament and express his approval of the marriage.

A settlement was reached and Parliament gave the approval in August 1293. Alexander Amaral agreed to pay 400 million Lenzkirschi crowns (over 52 million dragons) in dowry, to be split between the Imperial Family and Parliament. It remains the largest dowry in known history. Alexander returned to Westeros in glory, escorting his soon-to-be father-by-marriage, who was iniciating a toud of Westeros as part of the celebrations of the wedding of Princess Maria and Prince Aegon.

## Marriage

Irina married Alexander Amaral, heir to the Duchy of Firehill. The ceremony took place at the Golden Sept, in Firehill, in 23 June 1294. As the Lenzkirschi constitution forbid morganactic marriages within the Imperial Family, a special mandate was issued by the Imperial House that made Alexander a prince for life in the Lenzkirschi Peerage and granted the children of Alexander and Irina the style of Princes and Princesses of Lenzkirschia, under the Firehill name. Another mandate was issued two years later, after the founding of the city of Amarten in the Loksinka Province, which implemented the title “Prince of Firehill-Amarten” with the accompanying style of His/Her Serene Highness in the Lenzkirschi peerage as a separate and hereditary title.

Irina became pregnant shortly after, and questions were raised concerning the time of conception of their first child. The subject was once again brought to light when Prince Andrew was born prematurely.

## Princess of Firehill-Amarten

As part of the agreement between the Imperial Crown and Alexander Amaral, the Duchess of Firehill financed the establishment of a new city in the Loksinka Province. Amarten was intended to aid the development of western Lenzkirschia and increase the exploration of the region's resources. Amarten was founded in 1296 and Alexander was created **Prince of Firehill-Amarten**, and the city and the lands within a 500-kilometer radius of its port became a sovereign principality within the Empire of Lenskirschia.

Irina was the only person to hold the title of Consort of Firehill-Amarten without simultaneously being a Consort of the Duchy of Firehill.

## Titles and Styles

* 9 May 1272 – 23 June 1294: *Her Imperial Highness* The Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Lenzkirschia
* 23 June 1294 – 19 May 1296: HIH The Princess Alexander of Firehill, Viscountess Crownstars
* 19 May 1296 – 23 November 1303: *Her Serene Highness* The Princess of Firehill-Amarten, Viscountess Crownstars
* 23 November 1303 – 22 January 1329: HSH The Princess of Firehill-Amarten, Countess of Redcastle
* 22 January 1329 – 24 September 1361: HSH The Princess of Firehill-Amarten, Duchess of Firehill
* 24 September 1361 – 24 November 1371: HSH Irina Alexandrovna, Dowager Duchess of Firehill