George VII of Diadochia

George VII (Greek: Geó̱rgios VII; 7 December 1826 – 26 February 1901), was Holy Diadochian Emperor from 20 March 1832 until his death, reigning for over 69 years. His father's abbdication and flight to Europe in 1832 left a five-year-old George VII as Emperor. George VII throughout his long reign held to strict principals of duty and was devoted to his country and all of his people. George VII was also the embodiement of Komnenos-Palaiologos values of traditionalism and conservatism. He was the longest-reigning emperor of Diadochia.

Early Life

Birth

George was born 6:30 on 7 December 1826 at the Komnenos Castle, near Atlantis. The little prince was named after St. George of Amastris, his full name was George Amastris Konstantinos Alexander John Nikolas Karolos Francis Michael Rafael Cassander. He was born into the imperial house of Komnenos-Palaiologos.

On the 10 August 1827 George VII was officially recognized as the heir apparent and was bestowed with the titles, Byzantinóu, Prince of the Pelopónnisos, Prince of Bithynia, Prince of Thalássa, Prince of Castilla, Prince of Carpathia, Prince of Lusatia, Prince of Zeta, Prince of Salona, Prince of Zachlumia, Duke of Epirus, Duke of Thessaly, Marquess of Mystras, Earl of Attica, Earl of Megaris, Earl of Athamania, Earl of Thesprotia and Earl of Lokridas.

George VII became Emperor after his father abdicated and took off to Europe on March 20, 1832.

Regency and Accession

After his father's abdication on 20 March 1832, the new Emperor was acclaimed as the new Diadochian Emperor on 22 March. The young Emperor and his sisters were displayed at one of the windows to the huge crowd below. The whole time the imperial artillery thundered salutes and the cannons roared with hundeds of rounds all for the five year old by who whould rule for over half a century. During the acclamation by the people the little emperor who was only about five had to stand on a chair so he could be seen by all of his loving subjects. A regency council was created and governed the land for the next ten years.

Education

The Education of George VII begin when he was very young, and by the age of five he could read and write Greek. The young Emperor's tutors gave him lessons on history, geography, music, hunting, equestrianism, phsics, philosphy, astronomy. Besides his native Greek George VII learned French, German, English, Latin, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese and various other languages.

Majority

Over the next ten years of the regency the country and the people began to hate the regents, some called for the majority to be lowered despite the fact that in 1842, Emperor George VII was only 15 years old. By 1841 most people had last faith in the regency council's ability to rule the empire, now believing only the Emperor could keep the empire from disintegration.

In early months of 1842 people started gathering in the streets of Atlantis singing: We want George the Seventh!", Although he is still too young; The Nation forgets the law, long live the majority, better he then the regency!

On 20 August a huge crowd went to the parliament building to demand an immediate declaration of majority for the emperor. Both houses of Parliament quickly passed the 1842 Act of Majority calling on the emperor to take his his full powers as emperor of Diadochia. A delegation of twelve politicians proceeded to the Blachernae Palace to inform the Emperor of his majority. The Emperor on hearing the news accepted at once the declaration of majority at the age of fifteen on August 21.

The following day, 22 August 1842, the Emperor was formally declared of age. The young Emperor was acclaimed for a second time by the nobility, armed forces, and the Diadochian people.

Several months later on 21 April 1843 the Emperor was officially crowned Emperor of Diadochia in the Koimíseos Cathedral in Alexandretta.

Consolidation

Marriage

By the time George VII had reached the age of eighteen in 1844 he was mature. George was considered handsome, at 1.90 m (6'3") he was tall with pure blue eyes and radiant blonde hair. He did however have one physical flaw: a protruding jaw (a common trait of the House of Komnenos-Palaiologos, that in the later 1840s he would conceal by letting his beard grow). Since he was rather shy, the young emperor rarely spoke more than a word or two to people when holding court. The emperor's ministers of state and the courtiers of the imperial court hoped and expected that the emperor would mature if he was married. So that when the emperor reached the age of majority, the search for a bride began. There was also an urgent need to increase the number of heirs to the imperial throne.

The union of George VII and Elizabeth was like a real life fairy tale, George VII was the handsome Emperor of a multiethnic empire who fell in love with a beautiful young princess and made her his Empress. The two were first cousins, their mother being sisters. The romance blossomed in December of 1847, when Eliza was only fourteen and George was twenty one. The two met each other at George's twenty first birthday party at Kaiservilla and the couple's engagement was announced the same night. Six months later in 1848, the fairy tale wedding was held in Atlantis. When the Emperor informed her his intention to marry her, Elizabeth is said to have said "I am so very fond of the Emperor! If only he were not an emperor!"

Establishment of imperial authority

After George VII reached majority, the regency council was ended. The removal of the regency brought stability back to the government. George VII was seen nationwide as a legitimate source of authority, whose imperial position placed him above partisans and petty disputes.

The first show of George VII's imperial authority happened in late 1848 and early 1849, when the Emperor and the new Empress made a tour of Diadochia's southern provinces. He was surprised by the warm and enthusiastic responses that he received from the people there. With growth, the emperor's weaknesses faded and his strengths of character came to the forefront. He became more self-assured and learned to be not only impartial and diligent, but also courteous, patient and personable, a true emperor. From this time until his death the Emperor kept his emotions under lock and key. He was never rude and never lost his temper. His contemporaries described him has exceptionally discreet in words and cautious in action

At the end of the 1840s and on into the 1850s George VII had become a highly respected, beloved monarch, whose dominance of the empire’s affairs was both welcome and unquestioned

Growth

Politics of an Emperor

During the 1850s, Diadochia experienced a huge industrialization period. Throughout his reign the huge multinational empire was woven together through the creation of railroad lines, electric telegraphs, and steamship lines.

Despite being titled as Emperor and Autocrat of all the Diadochias, the Emperor of Diadochia was and is to this day not an autocrat with absolute powers, however George VII was by no means figure head in the style of Britain. The Emperors of Diadochia have always been something in between absolutism and constitutionalism.

The active presence of George VII on the political scene was an important part of the government's structure, which also included the cabinet, privy Council and the Parliament of Diadochia. He used his participation in directing the course of government as a means of influence. His direction became indispensable, although it never amounted to personal rule. In his handling of the political parties, the emperor maintained a reputation for impartiality, working in accord with the popular mood, managing to avoid any flagrant imposition of his will on the political scene.

The Emperor's more notable political successes were achieved primarily because of the non-confrontational and cooperative manner with which he managed his government, and handled partisan affairs. He was remarkably tolerant, seldom taking offense at criticism, opposition or even incompetence. Legally the Emperor did not have the constitutional authority to force acceptance of his initiatives without support, and his collaborative approach towards governing kept the nation progressing and enabled the political system to successfully function independently of the imperial crown. The Emperor respected the prerogatives of the legislature, even when they resisted, delayed, or thwarted his goals and appointments.

Almost every politician in Diadochia during the period appreciated and supported his role. Many had lived through the regency period, when the lack of an emperor who could stand above petty and partisan interests led to years of strife between political factions. Their experiences in public life had created a conviction that George VII was "indispensable to Diadochia's continued peace, prosperity, and success.

Patron of the Arts

Throughout his long reign Emperor George VII devoted his time to improving and expanding Diadochian culture, arts , and sciences. By the time he died in 1901 the Imperial Blachernae Palace had 960,000 books in three palace libraries.

Under George VII the Imperial Academies of Diadochia received further strengthening and support, and they even rivaled their European counterparts. George VII throughout his reign paid special attention to the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts.

George VII established universities, art schools, and conservatories all over the empire. He also studied a wide-range of interests including anthropology, history, geography, geology, medicine, law, religious studies, philosophy, painting, sculpture, theater, music, chemistry, physics, astronomy, poetry and technology.

The Emperor had a true passion for for linguistics, and by the time of his death, the Emperor could speak and write not only his native Greek and French, but also Latin, German, English, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese, and Sanskrit.

The Emperor was devoted to the improvement of the education system in Diadochia. The Emperor once remarked "Were I not Emperor I would like very much to be a teacher, for a I do not know of a task more noble than the one that directs and molds young minds" The Emperor provided scholarships for Diadochian students to study at universities, art schools, and conservatories of music both at home and abroad .

National Popularity and dispute with the British Empire

By the 1860s, Emperor George VII experienced a huge rise and popularity. During this time the monarchy was at the height of its splendor and popularity with around 95% of the population supporting the monarchy in 1861. From the 1850s to the 1860s the empire had peace, prosperity and wealth.

The Empire of Diadochia and the British Empire almost went to war in the early 1864 when after a minor incident off the coast of Atlantis resulted in the sinking of a British commercial vessel and the arrest of drunken British officers in the streets of Atlantis.

The diplomatic dispute came to a head when the British Ambassador Edward Pembroke sent an ultimatum to the Diadochian government demanding the officers release and issuing orders to nearby British warships to capture Diadochian merchant vessels as indemnity for the lost commercial vessel.

The Diadochian government refused all Pembroke's demands. Pembroke overjoyed at the refusal wanted to teach Diadochia a lesson despite specific messages from London ordering him to negotiate an end to the conflict and prevent war at all costs.

The Diadochian government prepared for war, purchasing coastal artillery, the navy was reorganized, several new ironclads being constructed, and all coastal defenses were given permission to fire upon any British warship that tried to capture nearby Diadochian merchant ships.

Alarmed by the fast preparations for war, Pembroke rushed to propose a peaceful end to the diplomatic dispute. On seeing this the Diadochian government presented its demands and severed ties with the British government in July 1864.

During this whole conflict George VII a hot headed stubborn man refused to submit to Britain and rejected even the slightest suggestion of yielding in any way to the demands of the British Ambassador.

Ptolemaic Wars

First Motherland Volunteer

As tension with the British Empire grew, the Diadochian Empire had to turn its attention to its southern frontiers, and southern isles. Political unrest in the neighboring country of Ptolemaia, had led to the murder of Diadochians and the looting of their property. The Diadochian government decided to intervene fearful of giving the impression of weakness in the eyes of the British. A Diadochian army invaded Ptolemaia in November 1 1865 starting the brief First Ptolemaic-Diadochian War, which ended in January 1866.

Th Ptolemaian government decided to invade southern Diadochia. Aware of the anarchy in southern Diadochia and the incapacity and incompetence of its military chiefs to resist the Ptolemaian army, George VII decided to go to the front in person. Upon receiving objections from the cabinet, the Parliament and the Privy Council, George VII proclaimed: "If they can prevent me from going as an Emperor, they cannot prevent me from abdicating and going as a Motherland Volunteer"—an allusion to those Diadochians who volunteered to go to war and became known throughout the nation as the "Motherland Volunteers. The Emperor himself was popularly called the "Number-one volunteer"

George VII's effective coordination of the military operations and his personal example played a decisive role in successfully repulsing the Ptolemaian invasion of Diadochian territory Before returning to Atlantis, he received the British diplomatic envoy Edward Pembroke, who apologized on behalf of Queen Victoria and the British Government for the crisis between the empires. The Emperor considered that this diplomatic victory over the most powerful nation of the world was sufficient and renewed friendly relations with the British government.

Victory in war

Starting from 1865 until the wars' end in 1871, the Emperor's time and energy was devoted almost entirely to the war effort. He tirelessly worked to raise and equip troops to reinforce the front lines and to push forward the fitting of new warships for the navy.

As George VII maneuvered to bring about a victorious outcome in the conflict with Ptolemaia, he threw his support behind the political parties and factions that seemed to be most useful in the effort. The reputation of the monarchy was harmed and its trusted position as an impartial mediator was severely impacted in the long term. He was unconcerned for his personal position, and regardless of the impact upon the imperial system, he determined to put the national interest ahead of any potential harm caused by such actions.

His refusal to accept anything short of total victory was pivotal in the final outcome, with the war coming to an end on 1 April 1871, bringing the war to a a decisive victory for Diadochia an her allies Parliament erected an equestrian statue of the emperor to commemorate the victory. The war was long and cost the lives of approximately 500,000 souls. The war cost around 614 million drachmas. However Diadochia was so prosperous in the following decade, that the government had completely paid the war debt in only ten years.

The war had effects on the Emperor, aging him prematurely and during its run it weakened the monarchy. George VII's popularity which had suffered during the long conflict, immediately recovered during the final victory.

Imperial Apogee

During the period between the 1870s and into 1890s George VII and the Diadochian Empire as a whole reached the height of its prestige and power. During the last thirty years of the George VII's reign, the empire of Diadochia experienced rapid development and its international reputation skyrocketed. During this time the Diadochian economy was booming and growing rapidly and immigration to the empire was expanded. During this time many modernization projects were implemented.

By the 1890s Diadochia had achieved a prominent place as an world power. By the 1860s the Empire of Diadochia had the seventh largest economy in the world. The Empire's navy was the largest navy in the world and fourth most powerful in 1890.

Golden Jubilee

In 1882, the Diadochian Empire celebrated Golden Jubilee of George VII. In few short weeks before the start of March the city of Atlantis was a glowing mass of color with flags and floral decorations everywhere. Triumphal arches lined the streets and sweet smelling garlands spanned the streets and were to be seen everywhere.

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of his accession to the imperial throne on 20 March a glittering state banquet at the Atlantis Imperial Palace was held and was attended by over fifty monarchs and heads of state from foreign nations.

The following day March 21 a procession and a thanksgiving service at the Saint Nicholas's Cathedral. The Emperor's golden jubilee celebrations included: imperial court functions, legation balls, court balls, torchlight processions and illuminations, gala performances in the imperial theatres, parades, military reviews, luncheons, and thanksgiving services throughout the empire.

Diamond Jubilee

In 1892, Emperor George VII celebrated his diamond jubilee, marking sixty years on the imperial throne. Most people could not even remember a time when George VII was not on the Imperial throne.

Titles and honors

His title after his accession to the imperial throne:

George VII, by the Grace of God, Emperor of the Romans, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Diadochias, King of the Greeks, King of Magaria, of Moesia, of Dalmatia, of Illyría, of Pannonia, of Sarmatia, of Dacia, of Iberia, of Aquitania, etc.; Archduke of Atlantida; , of Raetia, of Cyrenaica and of Petras; Grand Prince of Vlachiá; Marquess of Ravenna; Duke of Saxonía, of Florentia, of Sikeliás, of Valentia, of Baetica, of Chersonesos, of Syracuse, of Kapoua, of Sárdeis, of Paphos, of Caesarea and of Pantikápaion; Princely Count of Komne, of Cartagena, of Malágina, of Agrippina, of Noricum, and of Gorgóna.